David and Rowena Glover enjoy the Heritage Fair petting zoo with children Zara, 2, and Josephine, 5.
PENDLETON — Wayne Carmany of Markleville brought two of his eight collectors’ tractors to Pendleton Fall Creek Heritage Fair on the weekend — a 1938 “B” John Deere that his dad Verb bought new and used to farm locally, and a 1935 “A” John Deere that he bought from another collector.
He said he was happy event organizers brought back the antique tractor and engine show this year after its absence for a couple of decades.
“It’s part of the history, history of Pendleton, history period,” he said. And, “you can get together with people with the same likes and show the public what farming used to be like, you know, 50 years ago.”
Visitor Tiffani Faux said her son Eryx was thrilled to see the tractors at Falls Park on Saturday after thinking he was just heading to the Friends of the Pendleton Community Library’s Lucky Duck Race (see related story, Page B2).
“I think it’s really neat,” she said. “I just think it’s really nice to see all the old stuff, how it used to be, show the kids.”
Those positive sentiments appear to jibe with what organizers of the fair and its sister event, Pendleton Fall Festival downtown, said has been great feedback regarding the Friday and Saturday events.
It also might explain why the events together continue to grow, attracting an estimated 14,000 visitors, up 2,000 compared to last year.
“I think it was hugely successful,” said Dusten Tryon, a co-organizer of Heritage Fair, which is a Friends of Falls Park event. “I think everyone had a really good time, and I think it showed Pendleton in a good light.
“I think it was the best we’ve ever had.”
Niki Brown, organizer of Fall Festival, which is a Pendleton Business Association event, expressed similar sentiment, citing the fair’s visitor count and other observations.
“We saw a solid stream of people walking” between the park and downtown, Brown said. “I think we did good job of feeding each other.”
Besides the revived tractor show, Heritage Fair added a petting zoo and a Heritage Fair court, and expanded its number of booths from about 100 to 160.
Fall Festival added a shuttle from Pendleton Elementary School to downtown to help with parking, and moved booths that previously lined the street into a parking lot “marketplace” area southeast of the State Street and Pendleton Avenue intersection to improve safety.
“We had really good participation this year from the vendors and the stores,” Brown said.
The festival had a Harvest Moon theme, and about a dozen businesses participated in its scarecrow contest. The top three entries received award ribbons, and scarecrows were on display during the festival.
“Several of the businesses that I spoke to said they did really well, and enjoyed the festival and the people coming in and out of their stores,” Brown said.
“They enjoyed talking with them, and several of them said they met a lot of people from out of town. I think that proves that when we have a festival, it will bring people from other cities and towns into ours.”
On Saturday, food vendors had “a hard time keeping up with the demand,” Brown said.
Tryon said the Heritage Fair raised $8,500 from its $5 parking charge, with those funds earmarked for “projects around the park.
It’s not certain what work will get done with the funds, he said. Last year’s money was used to refurbish the Community Building patio.
Brown and Tryon said the plan is to continue to build the events in the future, with Tryon stating it’s not too early to think about 2024.
“We’ll start planning next year’s event next week,” Tryon said, giving time and place details: 6 p.m. Monday at Pendleton Community Public Library. “We always accept new volunteers.”
The food truck area was busy on Saturday during Fall Festival.
Robin and Paul Durham of Greenfield walk through the Fall Festival on Friday carrying a new decoration for their home, a wooden scarecrow named “Moonshine Mike.”
Fall Festival included a new marketplace area this year in the parking lot southeast of the State Street/Pendleton Avenue intersection.
Visitors stroll past booths at Fall Festival on Pendleton Avenue on Friday.
Justin Barnhart talks to Heritage Fair visitors about machines on display. Pictured (from left) are Barnhart, Laurel Lambert, Jeanne Luttrull, Oakley Lambert, Paula Smith and Remington Lambert.
Wayne Carmany of Markleville stands with dog Bella next to one of two antique tractors he brought to the show at the Heritage Fair.
Jaye Norris of Fishers purchases refreshments from Louis Uccello, 9, who’s running his lemonade stand in front of his house on Falls Park Drive during the Heritage Fair.
Celtic duo Emily Ann Thompson with Kel perform at the Heritage Fair on Friday.
Katelynn West (left), Derek Fogle and Laylin Fogle enjoy the petting zoo at the Heritage Fair on Saturday.
Eryx Faux enjoys some time on a tractor while mom Tiffani and tractor owner Wayne Carmany look on.
Tiffani Faur takes a photo of son Eryx Faux on a tractor during Hertiage Fair on Saturday while tractor owner Wayne Carmany look on.
The inaugural Pendleton Fall Creek Heritage Fair Court (from left) Queen Sara Wilson, Princess Ashtyn Keegan and Runner-up Layla Penley.
