FALL FUN - About 1,200 people visited Farmamerica's Fall Festival on Oct. 17. Visitors toured the grounds, and also enjoyed numerous event-specific elements, including a scarecrow contest, a kids' "pedal pull," a visit from Minnesota's Princess Kay of the Milky Way, a gigantic "bounce pad" for the younger set, llamas, and demonstrations of various era-appropriate crafts and skills.
Farmamerica Fall Festival entertains 1,200
Thu, 10/22/2026 - 9:30am
The Farmamerica Fall Festival entertained about 1,200 visitors on Saturday, Feb. 17. The event included a wide variety of activities meant for everyone from toddlers to senior citizens. Familiar sites like the 1850s homestead and the 1930s farm had extra touches, including era-appropriate demonstrations and activities. Ropemaker Albert Rysavy, hardanger artist Arlene Orton, and weaver Ralph Keyes shared information about their skills at the 1850s site: blacksmith Wyatt Bienfang worked away at the blacksmith shop. Princess Kay of the Milky Way, Owatonna area resident Jena Hanson, greeted visitors at the 1930s farm site.
Area vintage tractor owner Ron Wood was able to provide a demonstration of an early 1950s International Harvester corn picker which is capable of harvesting one row of corn at a time.
Visitors were asked to weigh in regarding their favorite scarecrow of the 9 on display. As of press time, the votes had not yet been tallied.
Those out looking for a walk wandered through the corn maze, with its precision planted pattern that included the liberty bell, an eagle, and a flag.
Members of the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemperton FFA volunteered their time to supervise bingo games: they had also come earlier in the week to pick the pumpkins which were available to every child in attendance.
“It was a busy, exciting day,” comments Farmamerica program coordinator Kari Wadd.