MOLLY VANDENBERG
Staff Writer
Kelsie Abbt / Photographer
It may have been a gloomy weekend in downtown Fredonia, but that didn’t stop Fredonia’s Habitat for Humanity club from putting on their first annual Harvest Fest this past Saturday, Oct. 8.
Despite the rain, club members had to deal with during set up, the weather cleared up just in time for the festivities to begin.
“We worked for two and a half hours in the rain setting up, which was unbelievable, but throughout that time I was never worried. I knew that the rain was supposed to clear up and it … cleared up right when the event started,” said junior early childhood/childhood education major and Habitat for Humanity president Shane Meenaghan.
So, the festival began in good spirits despite dealing with a little bit of rain. From multiple craft tables, lawn games, live music provided by Fredonia Radio Systems, dance performances, concession stands, pumpkin sales and a basket raffle there was something fun for all age groups to enjoy at the Harvest Festival.
Craft station tables were set up aiming to attract both younger and older crowds. It was definitely a family-friendly experience for all.
“I loved seeing all the children running around happy and excited to do the crafts…They were dancing around to the music… it was just an awesome experience to see the young and old of our community coming together and helping raise money for such a good cause,” said Meenaghan.
It was slower during the early hours of the festival, but it’s important to remember that this was a first time event for the club, similar to a trial-run. They only had a month and a half to plan and attempted to reach out to as many business and local schools as they could during this short amount of time. However, club members were still happy with the turnout.
“For a month and a half of planning [and] for all of what my e-board, my planning committee, our assistants and our general body did to help make this run, it went amazingly.” said Meenaghan.
People were drawn to the Harvest Fest that didn’t know anything about the club and their efforts. It was a great opportunity for Habitat for Humanity to spread their message and share their overall goals with the local community. It was also a chance for Fredonia clubs to really work together and collaborate on something so positive.
“My favorite parts of the Harvest Fest were the outstanding musical performances and the collaborative efforts of Habitat for Humanity alongside [the] Fredonia radio station and several other campus groups all to help out the Chautauqua County Habitat for Humanity Chapter that we’ve been working with at our current Silver Creek build site,” said junior audio/radio production and journalism major Melissa Fuchs, who is involved in both the Fredonia Radio Station (FRS) and Habitat for Humanity. FRS sold record bowls at the festival to help fundraise.
The exact amount raised is still being determined by Habitat. All proceeds are for the local Habitat for Humanity Chautauqua Affiliate. This money will go towards current house construction in Silver Creek and other possible future projects.
The Harvest Fest is going to become an annual event so if you missed it this time around, make sure to keep an eye out for the festival next year and the years to come.