The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
Well Hello Stronghurst and surrounding communities!
Guess what? I blinked…….and here it is September already! How that happened I haven’t quite figured out, oh well!
I am sure many of you feel the same way. It seems we were just celebrating the New Year, Spring came then Summer tumbled in right behind her.
The school year ended gardens and crops were planted, sporting events, farmers markets with lots of local produce, vacations, reunions and now here we are with Autumn just around the corner. School has begun along with all the fall sports (baseball, softball, football, golf, cross country track, volleyball).
The nights are cooling down and I have seen some leaves starting to change and we will soon be graced by those glorious colors. Soon you will be seeing tractors, wagons and combines on the roads as our local farmers begin their harvest. Halloween will be close behind with bonfires, hot dogs and hay rides and corn mazes.
You know where I am going with this, right?? It’s time for our Annual Stronghurst Fall Festival which will be held at the Stronghurst Village Park on Saturday September 21st from 9-3pm. There will be vendors in the park, lots of returning vendors as well as some new vendors. The boosters will have lunch items/drinks in the shelter house as well as Mums to start your fall decorating. Norm will be pulling lots of smiling faces in his barrel train rides from 10am till 2pm. Also from 10am till 2pm inflatables will be set up (more fun for the kiddos)! Weather permitting the Doc Pogue Spray Park opens at noon. Pickle Ball courts will also be available. For information contact Shelly 319-759-5923.
The last couple of years you may have noticed straw bales around town that have been decorated by area businesses and the school. It has been so much fun that this year we are making it a contest! Bales have been delivered and must be decorated by September 20th. Voting will take place September 21-23. The lucky winner will get bragging rights and a trophy! How fun is that? Everyone put on your creative caps and decorate away. We all look forward to seeing just what you come up with!
There promises to be an abundance of activity that day including city wide yard sales which will begin Friday and continue Saturday. For anyone wanting to register and be put on the map please contact Brittany at the Village Hall 309-924-1525. If there are not enough sales registered then they will be listed instead on the Village’s website or FB page.
The Lions Club will be serving a Biscuit n Gravy Breakfast that will be a Free Will Donation beginning at 7am till 10am (or until sold out) at the American Legion. The Lions Club will graciously be making trips to the park for those that may not be able to attend at the Legion.
The Stronghurst Fall Festival Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show will also take place on Broadway Street. Registration is from 9am-11am, voting will begin at 11am and continue till noon, awards will follow at 2pm. This year’s awards will be: Top 20, Booster Club Award, Mayor’s Choice, Veteran’s Award, Spectator Pick, Kid’s Choice, Top Car, Top Truck, Top Bike and the Chris Fenton Memorial Award. There will be Dash Plaques for the first 50 entries and a limited number of T-Shirts will be available. For information or questions you may contact Jeff 309-221-3013 or Brent 309-318-1134. A rain date will be Sunday September 22.
An Antique Tractor display is being organized by Mike Cole and will be on Broadway Street as well. For any information or questions please contact Mike 309-333-9230.
For those spending time on Broadway Street Fisher’s Food Center will be grilling out and you can stop in the Feedlot to see their lunch and drink specials. Bygones and Buds will also be serving up something delicious so make sure you stop by there as well.
Lastly to round out the day you can head on out, down or over to the Henderson County Fairgrounds and enjoy the Havoc Races which begin at 5:30. Concessions will also be available there.
So see you won’t have to cook all day! Breakfast with the Lions, lunch at the park or uptown and supper at the fairgrounds. You can shop, pick up some fall décor, visit with old friends, maybe make some new friends, stroll down Broadway and be amazed by all those beautiful cars, trucks, bikes, tractors and finish the day watching some….well maybe not so beautiful cars.
We hope you come on out and visit us here in Stronghurst on Saturday September 21st. There should be something for most everyone!
One last thing if I may, please be mindful of people walking about, there will be some roads blocked for activities and please be careful not to park in anyone’s yard unless you have permission. Have a great week and we will see you soon!