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By Natasha Austin
October 2, 2007 | Despite Saturday's steady rainfall,
the American West Heritage Center in Wellsville
continued with its annual Fall Festival.
Keith Wilson, marketing director for the center,
said the Fall Festival is the center's second-largest
event.
"We plan on this and the Baby Animal Day
in the spring," he said. Due to the rain
this year's attendance of the festival was less
than last year, which had more than 3,000 attendees.
The annual Fall Festival has been going on for
years. One of the most popular events is The Old
Time Heritage Fiddle contest. The contest brings
fiddlers from all over the western United States.
The contest had divisions for all ages. Halsey
Grose, age 4, from Dangle, Idaho, won second place
in the Pee Wee competition.
"We were sad for the weather," said
Halsey's mother, Angie Grose. "The whole
reason we come is for the animals."
The Grose family makes the trip every year to
participate in the fiddle contest. Grose's sons
Bryson and Brock also participated.
The Fall Festival boasted many other activities
for families. Children dressed scarecrows, rode
ponies and took old-fashion pictures in the Ox
Barn. The petting zoo just outside the barn was
also a popular place for the children to mingle
with the animals. The Shoshone Camp allowed families
to see demonstrations of the Shoshone Nation.
Children were allowed to throw tomahawks and shoot
a bow and arrow.
Many pavilions and buildings hosted food vendors
which included dutch oven cooking and kettle popcorn.
Also, many Cache Valley artisans were selling
their goods and fine western art. The Center was
full of music and live bands.
While the Fall Festival is one of the Heritage
Center's largest events, they have many other
activities throughout the year. Coming up, on
Nov. 17 is the Tellabration, a worldwide evening
of storytelling.
Also this month is the Corn Maze. This year the
maze is commemorating the 150th anniversary of
Cache County with a special tribute designed in
the maze. The maze is open 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Monday through Saturday. Patrons may also want
to pick pumpkins from the Center's pumpkin patch.
For more information go to www.awhc.org.
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RAIN, RAIN: The
fall colors were beautiful, but few were around
to enjoy them on a rainy Saturday at the American
West Heritage Center. / Photos by Natasha
Austin
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