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10 Questions about the 2009 Haven Fall Festival
HAVEN, KANSAS - The 2009 edition of the Haven Fall Festival is set to open Saturday, October 10 with several changes from years past.
Festival Chairman Bryce Matteson answers 10 of the most common questions about this year's event:
Q: What is the theme for this year's Haven Fall Festival?
A: Our theme this year is "A Bright Time in '09" and is tied in with the statwide energy conservation challenge involving Haven and five other cities in Kansas. A low-energy CFL light bulb is the centerpiece of HFF buttons on sale for $3 at Haven area merchants. Buttons are good for drawings for prizes and a free hamburger meal in the evening.
Q: We understand the parade time and route have changed. Is this true and if so, why?
We understand the parade time and route have changed. Is this true and if so, why?
A: It is true. The parade is the signature event for the Haven Fall Festival attracting the greatest number of people and lasting the longest amount of time. The parade will begin at 12:00 noon from Industrial Drive and proceed north on Kansas Avenue all the way to 5th Street. The earlier start time offers several benefits: it frees up more time in the afternoon for other events downtown, provides food vendors with a larger audience before lunch time and gives parade organizers a larger area to line up entries. The staging area will be along Industrial Drive instead of the high school parking lot where space has been limited in the past by other events at the football field. On-site registration begins at 10:30 a.m. in the staging area.
Q: Who is the Grand Marshal of this year's parade?
A; We are happy to announce that longtime Haven resident Gene Harris will serve as the parade's Grand Marshal.
Q: Are there any new events at the 2009 Fall Festival?
A: Yes and we are really excited about them! First, we have what we are calling "The Somewhat Amazing Race" where teams of six people take on other teams in challenges all over town. Based off of the hit TV reality show, we think this event will be be messy, tiring, frustrating and fun for participants and supporters alike.
Another new event is "The Running of the Alpacas and Llamas" down Kansas Avenue. Local breeders are supplying the sometimes stubborn animals for participants to lead in three qualifiying heats. Winners will then advance to a final race ending at the intersection of Main Street. The running of alpacas and llamas is safer than Spain's running of the bulls. Please, no wagering allowed!
And our final new event also involves racing. If you are a fan of stock car racing, you should enjoy the "Micro Reality" racing on a track set up on Main Street just east of Kansas Avenue. Four racers will drive their slotless and wireless cars against the other three from consoles next to the track.
Q: What events are targeted for smaller children?
A: Several. We will once again feature four large inflatable rides just west of the stage area plus have areas for making crafts, kids' games and the always popular tractor pedal pulls.
Q: The day normally begins with a Chamber Breakfast. Will this event be continued?
A: Yes but at a new time and location. The Haven Chamber of Commerce hosts the entire Fall Festival and will be serving up sausage and eggs beginning at 7:30 at the Community Building instead of the Senior Center. The food line continues through 9:30 a.m. Charge for adults is $5 and children 12 & under eat for $3.
Q: What ever happened to the bicycle race?
A: We are happy to announce the Ninnescah Valley bicycle race returns this year and will begin at 8:00 a.m. from the stage area. The 5K fun run also returns with registration at the Community Building beginning at 8:00 a.m.
Q: With the parade route taking up all of Kansas Avenue, where will the car show be located?
A: The classic car show will move to East Main Street just east of the Micro Reality race track with entries possibly extending beyond Sedgwick Street.
Q: What acts will be performing on the stage?
A: Local acts are being scheduled now with appearances starting at 10:00 a.m. and running up to and after the parade in the afternoon. The featured act for the night's street dance is a Wichita band called Second Nature. They take the stage at 8:00 p.m. and will perform until 11:00.
Q: Where will the vendors and the Fesitval Headquarters be located?
A: Festival buttons and tickets for the inflatables and Micro Reality racing will be sold from Festival Headquarters located in the old drug store building on the southwest corner of Main Street and Kansas Avenue. Food vendors will be on either side of South Kansas Avenue with foods ranging from Pronto Pups to Cyclone Burgers. Craft vendors will be located on the sidewalks of North Kansas Avenue.
If you would like to sponsor an event or volunteer to help, please contact Bryce Matteson at 620-465-3636 or 316-371-3636. For a Festival schedule, go to www.havenkansas.com . Planning meetings are scheduled for 7:00 each Monday evening at the Community Building. Anyone is invited to attend.
