By Blake Dykes

For many people Harvest Homecoming is a place to get together with friends and family, enjoy some delicious food, and investigate the different booths. This year was no different.

Others, however, used Harvest as a way to promote or sell their products. One such vendor was Brendle Honey Farm.

Owner Tom Brendle raises his own bees and makes honey, granola, maple syrup, and soaps.

“Starting out we were selling products to Rainbow Blossom, and found to go to festivals that are close, then people say, ‘If I like your honey, where do I get it?’,” said Brendle.

On other hand, other booths were also run as organizations helping people.

Kaiser Home Support Services, a non-profit organization, offers in-home and out of home care for developmentally disabled and elderly. Muriel LaDuke is the executive director and has been running this booth at Harvest for 40 years. This year they are selling candy cane baskets. Everything they sell is donated and goes back to the service.

There were many other eye-catching booths this year. From Spray Paint Art to Fabulous Creations, there was much to see.

Besides the knick-knacks and other items visitors could buy at Harvest, many people’s favorite type of booths were the food booths.

From all time favorites of chicken and dumplings and funnel cakes, to deep fried Oreos and Snickers, Harvest seemed to have it all.

Or take your pick between the original Graeters ice cream to homemade, hand churned ice cream made by the Amish.

Besides the usual things you would expect to see at Harvest Homecoming, there were a few exotic sights that were causing many gapes and stares.

For example, a lady walking around with a real snake around her neck.

Or, a man dressed in camouflage walked around with a lemur perched on his shoulder. The man disappeared, only shortly showing up again, carrying a small kangaroo. Many children were in awe, petting the small wild animals.

With all the public attraction, should Harvest Homecoming be more than once a year?

“Yes, every season a lot of people come to it. Its very family-oriented and you get to spend time with your friends and family,” said freshman Carly Franklin.

However, not everyone would agree.

“Harvest would lose visitation and more people wouldn’t want to come, it would lose quality of booths. This is the perfect time of year,” said freshman Madeline Coffey.

Still not enough entertainment? Some people took rides in horse drawn carriages, others listened to the live entertainment or went to the rides.

All in all, this Harvest Homecoming had plenty of things to do.

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