Bluffton's fall festival is Saturday, Sept. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The festival features seven settings that attract youth, history buffs, arts and crafts devotees, fishing enthusiasts, quilters, movie-goers, and those just looking for a good time on an early fall weekend.
Most of the activities are free, with literally, something for everyone. All locations share free transportation between sites via vans and horse drawn wagons.
Here is a summary of events planned:
Downtown Bluffton features youth activities including free inflatables, snow cones and face painting, a 10:30 a.m. dedication of Oscar Velasquez's mural "A View Into Yesterday, $3 first-run PG movie, food, demonstrations, farmer's market and entertainment.
The Bluffton Public Library 75th anniversary celebration takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event includes live music, crafts, prize drawings and a family storytime. Other events are a 1930 trivia display and refreshments.
A health fair takes place from 8 a.m. to noon at BFR Sports and Fitness Center, 215 Snider Road. The fair features free screenings on cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, and bariatric solutions.
For youth there is a bike rodeo, a drawing for the bikes used in the rodeo, and displays of a fire truck, Life Flight helicopter, ambulance EMS and medical equipment.
A Red Cross blood drive begins at 7:30 a.m. Information on nutrition, cardiac, mental and rehabilitation health is provided.
Maple Crest, 700 Maple Court, hosts a Bluffton Scrap Artist Quilters quilt show, a kiddie tractor pull, antique tractor show, fishing derby with prizes, live musical entertainment and food. Those events are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Mennonite Memorial Home, 410 W. Elm St., is the hub of the horse-drawn wagons that travel between it and downtown. It also sponsors a craft show, floral design contest, kids activities, silent auction, consignment auction, and food. Events at MMH take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Swiss Homestead, 8350 Bixel Road, will have exhibits, demonstrations, tours, music, children's activities, farm animal exhibit, and period food. Event at the homestead are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Suter's Produce (cider press) on Putnam Road between Phillips Road and Pandora Road, will have events from 10 a.m. until dusk. Events there include a corn maze, hayrides, pick-your-own pumpkins, "corn cannons," an 1888 cider press, and, apple cider for sale.
