Wagon rides were among the multiple activities scattered throughout Bluffton for the Fall Festival Sept. 22.
From face painting, balloon animals and apple cider to pumpkin rolls and antiques, the Bluffton Fall Festival had it all.
In six different locations, the Bluffton community came together for a fun day to enjoy the fall and all of its festivities.
Starting at the Mennonite Memorial Home, Kyla Dawson, volunteer and Maple Crest Senior Living Village worker, excitedly explained what her favorite part of the festival was.
“The kiddie tractor pulls [over at Maple Crest],” said Dawson. It’s where they have kids come up by their weight class, they add more weight and they see how far they can go. They give out these little cool carved trophies that are carved out of wood which are actually done by a resident.”
Woodworker and Bluffton University alumnus Neil Kehler sat front and center inside of the Maple Crest Village during the Fall Fest celebration Sept. 22. It was Kehler’s second year carving wood as part of the festival. Photo by Colten McCabe
Interested in seeing these wood carvings, first-year men’s soccer player, Evan Burden, traveled to the Maple Crest Senior Living Village to find the resident behind the trophies.
After navigating his way through Bluffton, Burden finally found the man behind the works.
Neil Kehler, Bluffton University alumnus and woodworker, sat front and center inside of the Maple Crest Village.
“I have been carving wood toys here [at the festival] for about two years,” said Kehler. “I’ve been a woodworker all my life. How does an artist learn how to carve? … It just sorta comes natural. I remember when I was about eight, my dad was building a barn on the farm and I gathered up the scrap wood and I started to build.”
Kehler has spent most of his life woodworking and enjoys selling and giving his artwork away.
“All of the ones I have made have gone to grandchildren and great grandchildren,” said Kehler.
First-year student Evan Burden takes in the mini golf activity as part of the Village of Bluffton’s Fall Festival Sept. 22. Photo by Colten McCabe.
Taking in all of the events, people and community, Kehler shared what his favorite part of the Fall Festival was.
“Memories.” said Kehler. “I was out by the tractors. My parents were farmers and we had a tractor out there. It must [have] predate to the 1920s. Just to see some of that old stuff, reminds me of when I was a kid and growing up. That’s been the fun of it.”
Awestruck by many of the wonderful events, beautiful horses and handcrafted wooden toys, Burden expressed what his favorite part of the festival was.
“I like seeing people within the community actually doing stuff,” said Burden. “This is the most people I have ever seen in Bluffton at one time. Seeing the younger people and the older people all coming together to celebrate our community was amazing.”
