Above: Dance Circle at the Fall Festival
At dawn on Saturday, October 14, it looked iffy – thick low-hanging clouds and a hint of drizzle. As any outdoor event planner will confirm, “The weather at breakfast time can make or break your event; that’s when people lock in their plans for the day.”
Undaunted, the artisans, exhibitors, vendors, volunteers and re-enactors carried in their supplies and carried on with their plans for another Fall Festival at the Mission. By 10:00 that morning, the Fall Festival opened literally with a bang (ceremonial rifle firing) and flag ceremony followed quickly by a Drum Safari and Native American Dancers. That fairly noisy, energetic opening dispelled any doubts: The Fall Festival was once again open to all.
On the adjacent field, the artisans and crafters opened their booths and welcomed the first shoppers of the day. Along 53rd Street, the food trucks pulled into their assigned spaces, fired up their grills and started creating those tempting smells. All around the Mission grounds, re-enactors and historians were ready to demonstrate their skills, tell their stories and bring history to life.
Over 4,000 hearty friends and neighbors, first-timers and festival regulars joined this annual celebration of fall on the prairie, the largest event of the year at the Mission. For the shoppers, there were jewelry-makers, basket-weavers, rug-hookers, potters, wood-workers and quilters selling their wares. Bee-keepers, bakers and corn-poppers offered samples and a variety of treats to take home. There were wagon rides, traditional games, live music and picnic spots when it was time to rest.
The Shawnee Indian Mission Fall Festival, as it’s grown and developed over the last thirty years is truly an event for all ages and all interests. For those who arrive curious, it’s an introduction to the Mission. For others who are now regular volunteers, the Fall Festival was their first taste of the many offerings of the Mission. Obviously that first impression was convincing; all these years later they’re still finding plenty to learn and love about the Mission.
