The 2024 Fall Harvest Festival was a vibrant celebration of autumn, with a variety of fall-themed artisan booths offering everything from handmade crafts to seasonal treats and fresh produce. Families strolled through the booths, picking up caramel apples, sipping free apple cider, and taking in the festive atmosphere. Children enjoyed the pumpkin painting station, led by the Valparaiso High School National Honor Society, while the Vikettes Dance Team provided free face painting, bringing smiles to kids’ faces with colorful designs. Bounce houses gave children a place to play and burn off energy, making the festival a positive experience for all ages.
Small business owners played a major part in the festival, presenting a variety of handcrafted goods, seasonal foods, and unique products. Artisan booths featured locally sourced fresh produce, homemade candles, jewelry, and fall-themed décor. Families had the chance to interact with these vendors, many of whom have deep roots in the Valparaiso community. The festival provided an opportunity for these small businesses to engage with potential customers and reinforce their presence in the local market.
One of the fan-favorite sections of the festival was the pumpkin painting station, sponsored by Century 21 Circle. Managing Broker Claudia Miller Forrest mentioned the company’s long-standing participation in the festival.
“We’ve been sponsoring the pumpkin painting activity for more than five years,” Forrest said. “It’s a great way to meet the community, introduce ourselves, and watch the kids have fun painting their pumpkins. We hope these activities help encourage families to stay and grow in Valparaiso.”
Children selected pumpkins from Bill’s Produce and decorated them while parents browsed the various surrounding booths. This activity allowed families to engage in a seasonal tradition while enjoying the event's atmosphere.
The Valparaiso High School Vikettes Dance Team, led by head coach Katherine Lopez, volunteered their time to provide free face painting for festival attendees. Lopez stated that continuing the tradition was important to the team.
“My dancers love being here. They get a little nervous about their artistic skills at first, but seeing the kids excited about their face paint makes it all worth it,” Lopez said. “It’s important for us to be part of the community, not just on the sidelines of sporting events, but in outreach efforts like this as well.”
Hilltop Neighborhood House, one of the festival’s platinum sponsors, had a strong presence this year. Director of Development Kelly Gengnagel said the organization was excited to showcase its programs, particularly the new Mission Kitchen.
“We’re here to let people know about our child care services, food pantry, and Mission Kitchen. The kitchen serves hot meals every Monday and is open to anyone in the community,” Gengnagel said. “Our booth today lets kids pick a pumpkin and win a prize, all while learning about how they can get involved with Hilltop, whether through volunteering or accessing our services.”
Jamie Carter, kindergarten readiness co-lead teacher at Hilltop, noted the organization's mission of inclusion and community support.
“We strive to make everyone feel welcome,” Carter said. “Our preschool, food pantry, and soup kitchen are about being there for people when they need help, and events like this are a great way for us to share that message.”
With beautiful fall weather and a strong turnout, the 2024 Fall Harvest Festival not only marked the arrival of the season but also underscored the significance of community connections in Valparaiso. Families came together to enjoy the various activities, creating shared experiences that contribute to the local culture. With the support of sponsors, volunteers, and local businesses, the festival effectively highlighted the collaborative efforts within the community, leaving attendees anticipating next year’s event.
For more information regarding Valparaiso Parks, visit valpoparks.org.
