HARTFORD — Hundreds of people showed up for Hartford Harvest Day in Hartford on Saturday. The day, while on the warm side, was filled with activities for all ages to enjoy.
This is the 18th year Hartford has celebrated Harvest Day, and this year carried a Wild West theme. Bettina Shank, co-chair of Hartford Harvest Day, said there were a number of new events this year. They included the Wild West Olympics, the tractor barrel roll, granny golf cart races and the Hula Hoop contest. Among other events were a parade in the morning, car show, bed races, a talent show, tractor pulling and many vendor booths, which lined up and down Main Street.
The Hula Hoop contest was a hit with the crowd, as more than a dozen participants showed up to see how long they could hula. Hayley Cole, 9, of Olpe, took the championship, beating everybody out after Hula hooping for 9 minutes 36 seconds. Hayley made the contest look easy as she crossed her arms in front of her, barely moving her body. Still, the hoop continued to go around as Hayley smiled and carefully looked around for anybody near her to prevent from getting bumped.
Hayley said she has been practicing Hula hooping for about two years. Her record is a 30 minutes of continuous Hula hooping, she said with a proud smile. Before rushing off to get her prize for winning, Hayley said she likes Hula hooping because she hopes to be a champion when she grows up.
It takes a lot of effort to prepare for an event like Hartford Harvest Day, Shank said. The Hartford Harvest Day committee, which Shank co-chaired this year with Keri Owens, starts meeting in March. There are eight members on the committee, which meets every month until the event happens. Committee members are from all around — not just Hartford, Shank said.
“Lots of people contribute to make Hartford Harvest Days,” Shank said.
The group starts out sending letters to vendors and craft booths to let them know when the event is going to be held. The organizers of the individual events are notified as well. The committee also tries to shake up the festival each year by adding new events.
“We try new ideas out to keep people coming back because people start disappearing in the fall,” Shank said.
The committee plans the entertainment for the day as well.
“We try to get a lot of people who come back every year,” Shank said.
Shank said the group spends about $2,000 on the festival and gets a lot of sponsorships to help cover the costs.
“The business people around here are wonderful,” she said. “That helps a lot.”
The day of the festival usually starts bright and early. Saturday, Shank arrived at 6:30 a.m. and there were already vendors setting up. She said she usually leaves around midnight.
Shank said attendance at this year’s festival was down a bit.
“The economy has effected a lot of people,” she said.
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Posted by hartford (anonymous) on September 30, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks to all who participated in the talent show. I wish the crowd would have been a little bigger, but it was fun. A local band from Emporia, 3.9 Seconds, started us out and finished with several songs. I was told they are a "young" band, but it sounded like they have been at it for awhile. Thanks guys/gal! You played excellent! Come back anytime!
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