Fair Grove Fall Festival Celebrates 40th Year

Citizens+of+Fair+Grove+drive+their+classic+cars+during+the+Fall+Festival+parade.+PHOTO+BY+NEWSPAPER+STAFF

Citizens of Fair Grove drive their classic cars during the Fall Festival parade. PHOTO BY NEWSPAPER STAFF

Garrett Newlin

     This year, the city of Fair Grove hosted the 40th annual Heritage Reunion, or as it’s more commonly called, the Fall Festival. In 1984, The Fair Grove Historical and Preservation Society purchased and restored our town’s historical Wommack Mill. Since then, they have held a Fall Festival every year in order to preserve the heritage of our community

     The festival itself is a two-day event that takes place around the historic Wommack Mill, and Fair Grove’s Main Street. During this weekend in September, our town’s population swells to over thirty thousand people, drawn in from neighboring towns. This year incorporated several new attractions, including a carnival section in the District Park, composed of several rides, a Ferris wheel, and even a small roller coaster. This year boasted over 300 booths, ranging from funnel cakes, to candle makers, to chainsaw carvings.

     Jordan VanNostrand (10) commented, “My favorite part of the fall festival would have to be the parade, I love seeing all of the different floats.” The parade is led by the Fair Grove High School marching band, and is followed by floats filled with players from several Fair Grove sports teams and local businesses. The parade is also accompanied by several people from the surrounding area driving classic cars and tractors. It also features the princesses, candidates, and homecoming queen elected the night before the festival.

     The reunion is also a chance for our city to come together to celebrate and contribute to the local crafts festival. Logan Holliman (10) mentioned, “ I come to the fall festival every year because I enjoy seeing Fair Grove in a different way; it’s busy, and everybody is smiling.”

     After celebrating forty years of Fair Grove heritage the community of Fair Grove is looking forward to continuing their tradition. The next fall festival will take place on the third weekend in September 2017.