Children giggle with glee as the magician creates a balloon elephant. Ghastly ghouls elicit screams from kids and adults alike. Choristers sing; crafters sell their wares; firefighters sound sirens and college students create fair fare. These are the sights and sounds of the Polk State College Fall Fest - the little fundraiser that became a treasured - and not so small - 23-year community tradition.
The Polk State College Fall Fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 17 on PSC's Winter Haven campus at 999 Ave. H ,N.E.
What began in 1986 as a way to pay for the upkeep of The President's House, a stately home donated to the college by Thelma Raley, has become a force all its own. While The President's House was sold long ago, Fall Fest remains a fixture on the busy college calendar.
This day-long plethora of activities for all ages is more than just a fundraiser - it is a gatherer of people. Although it generates unrestricted funds for the PSC Foundation, Fall Fest is a magnet that pulls people together - faculty, staff, students and community volunteers - to provide folks an enjoyable time of food, fun and fellowship with others.
"It's grown exponentially over the years," says Tom Dowling, who is coordinating the event.
Early Fall Fests were largely held around the center of the Learning Resources Building and included about 20 to 30 craft booths and a handful of children's activities.
"We've added little pieces," Dowling says.
The music department joined with vocal and instrumental groups. Physical therapy students began staging a haunted house. Various public safety departments added emergency vehicles and K-9 demonstration. Magician and balloon creature creator Luis Campaneria added his clowning antics to the mix. And early on, the La Sertoma Club asked to join in the festivities.
"La Sertoma brought in a whole contingent of new children's activities," Dowling says.
Student groups began selling food and drinks to raise money for awards banquets and other activities.
"It's a three-ringed circus - some things have come and some have gone away," Dowling explains. One year, a classic car show was included because someone on the staff at the time owned several of these automobiles. For several years, Civil War reenactments were included on the schedule when a faculty member was involved in them. And for two or three years, Tigers Eye Productions brought live exotic large cats to the event, a time Dowling calls "a trigger point" for the event.
"Whenever we've added things, they bring their friends and family - it spreads the positive word of mouth," he says.
This year, for the first time, the city of Winter Haven will participate in the show. According to Kim Hansell, the city's strategic initiative and capital projects director, the booth will have an eco-friendly theme.
"We will have crafts for kids and adults that reuse and repurpose items with a sustainability theme," Hansell says. The city also will be giving away plants and information about conserving natural resources.
But the core of the festival is the craft show.
"It's not a juried show, but we are selective about what they come here with," Dowling says.
Sharon Bevis, the college's cultural events coordinator, says she knows people who plan their family vacations around the event.
"I go every year. It's the perfect place to pick up nice but inexpensive remembrances for people," Bevis says. "I think it is a really fun day. I go, shop and stay for the entertainment."
The festival was held on several different days in varying months - September, October and November - as organizers searched for a niche in the community's event calendar. They found it 18 years ago when it was held on the third Saturday in October. It's been on that day ever since.
Dowling says Fall Fest is a "rain-or-shine" event, although he thought about cancelling it in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001. And one time it was postponed a week because of storms.
"I was wondering if it would come off," he says. "But one of the police officers says that people want to come out like this. I thought attendance would be impacted, but it was the same as every year."
The event now draws about 164 craftmakers and 12,000 spectators. Dowling says the college setting gives the festival its own flavor.
"Being held on a college campus - that's what makes it a little unique," he says. "Most craft shows held in a city are sponsored by the city or the chamber. This one very much involves students in varying capacities, such as selling food, performing, face painting and creating the haunted house. Each group adds to the event."
Donna Sheehan, the city's director of communications and marketing, describes Fall Fest as a contribution to the quality of life in Winter Haven.
"Winter Haven, with its special sense of place, provides an appealing location for festivals, and is home to more than 100 special events each year. The annual Polk State College Fall Fest provides the public an opportunity to gather, socialize and become more engaged in our beautiful community. It's a tradition residents and visitors look forward to each year," Sheehan says. "The city is proud Polk State College calls Winter Haven its home, and is pleased a variety of events such as the Fall Fest are available enhancing the quality of life for Winter Haven residents."
