Kewanna Fall Festival brings 4 days of entertainment to the 'Little Town with a Big Heart' 

The annual Kewanna Fall Festival is back again, and this year it is bringing four days of fun to the small town. Running from Thursday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 29. Admission to the festival is free and includes a full carnival with rides, games, food, a circus, live music, magic shows, and more.

Today kicks off the annual Kewanna Fall Festival, bringing entertainment that includes a carnival with rides, games, food, music, craft vendors and more to the "Little Town with a Big Heart." 

Kewanna Fall Festival organizer Ashley Van Lake said this year's festival will be running for four days due to ride vendors being unable to be at the festival on Sunday. The festival has been set to run from Thursday, Sept. 26, to Sunday, Sept. 29. Van Lake said there will still be plenty of entertainment at the festival on Sunday, like the 6th annual Motor Show on Main Street, a Garden Tractor Pull behind the Kewanna fire station, the circus and other free entertainment. 

Van Lake has been the Kewanna Fall Festival organizer for the past three years, taking over the position from the late Tom Mate, who created the festival with intentions of bringing activities for kids to have fun at a low cost. Kids ages 16 and under are even able to eat for free at specific vendors on Friday from 4-6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other free entertainment which includes Dr. Insecta, the bug expert; the Dinosaur Dimension show; the Kids' Magic Show by Wesley Waffles; and The Great Kalita, a magician. The Classic Circus is also returning this year, along with pro wrestling, and live music throughout the weekend. 

Van Lake said the annual Tribute to Hometown Heroes Parade will kick off down Main Street on Saturday at 1 p.m. Local farmers are the honorees of this year's parade, gaining them free entry to the parade this year. All other parade entrees cost $10 to participate. 

Van Lake said one of the main things that has kept the festival going has been generous sponsors who help financially support the event. 

"If we don't have sponsors and donors, the festival wouldn't be possible," Van Lake said. "We still fill out applications for grants from the Northern Indiana Community Foundation, but we still have to cover the cost of insurance, equipment rental like the entertainment tent, tables and chairs. It all just adds up and gets expensive. It's more than just paying for the entertainment, there's more to it. We couldn't do it without our sponsors." 

Businesses and individuals wanting to help sponsor the festival can do so by contacting Van Lake via email at ashley52664@gmail.com or by phone at 574-230-3756. 

"We hope to keep the festival's momentum going by making it bigger and better every year. If anyone has any suggestions or ideas for the future, whether it be changes or any new entertainment ideas that they'd like to see more of they are free to reach out. I'm always open to suggestions," Van Lake said. 

Kewanna Fall Festival schedule:

Thursday, Sept. 26

4 p.m. to close – Carnival, rides, games and food and craft vendors.

5 p.m. – Dr. Insecta, entertainment tent at the park.

5-9 p.m. – Crossroads Band, NIPSCO stage.

6 p.m. – Flippenout trampoline act, baseball diamond.

7 p.m. – Circus Classic.

8 p.m. – The Great Kalita magician, entertainment tent at the park.

Friday, Sept. 27

4 p.m. to close – Carnival, rides, games and food and craft vendors.

4-6 p.m. – Kids eat free (16 and under).

4:30 p.m. – Circus Classic.

5 p.m. – Dr. Insecta, entertainment tent at the park.

5 p.m. to close – Ham and beans, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1121.

5 p.m. – Singing ventriloquist.

6 p.m. – Flippenout trampoline act, baseball diamond.

6 p.m. – Cornhole tournament, park tennis court, registration at 5 p.m.

6 p.m. – Christian Strutz on acoustic guitar, NIPSCO stage.

6:30 p.m. – Dinosaur Dimensions, entertainment tent at the park.

7 p.m. – NightShift band, NIPSCO stage.

7 p.m. – Circus Classic.

8 p.m. – Kids’ music show, featuring Wesley Waffles, entertainment tent at the park.

9 p.m. – The Great Kalita magician, entertainment tent at the park.

9 p.m. – Live pro wrestling, circus tent.

Saturday, Sept. 28

8 a.m. to noon – Biscuits and gravy breakfast, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1121.

8 a.m. – 5K race registration, Kewanna fire station.

9 a.m. – 5K race begins, Kewanna fire station.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Book giveaway at the Kewanna library.

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Malachi Jaggers, parade stage.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Customer appreciation at Kewanna library.

11 a.m. to close – Food and craft vendors.

11 a.m. – Circus Classic.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Kids eat free (16 and under).

Noon to close – Carnival rides and games.

Noon – Parade registration, Winamac Coil Spring.

1 p.m. – Tribute to Hometown Heroes parade, Main Street.

12:30-6:30 p.m. – Ham and beans, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1121.

2:30-5:30 p.m. – Adam Gundrum, NIPSCO stage.

3 p.m. – Dr. Insecta, entertainment tent at the park.

3 p.m. – The HeARTery Talent and Wearable Art Showcase, 414 E. Main St.

3 p.m. – Flippenout trampoline act, baseball diamond.

4 p.m. – KTown Cart Crawlers (golf carts, buggies, side-by-sides welcome), registration at Kibitzer; must be 18 or older.

4 p.m. – Circus Classic.

4:30 p.m. – Kids’ Music Show, featuring Wesley Waffles, entertainment tent at the park.

5 p.m. – Flippenout trampoline act, baseball diamond.

5:30 p.m. – The Great Kalita magician, entertainment tent at the park.

6 p.m. – Beth Cummins, ventriloquist, NIPSCO stage.

6:30 p.m. – Dinosaur Dimensions, entertainment tent at the park.

7 p.m. – Circus Classic.

7:30 p.m. – Dr. Insecta, entertainment tent at the park.

8 p.m. – Flippenout trampoline act, baseball diamond.

8:30 p.m. – The Great Kalita magician, entertainment tent at the park.

8:30-10 p.m. – Crossroads band, NIPSCO stage.

9 p.m. – Dinosaur Dimensions, entertainment tent at the park.

10 p.m. – Live pro wrestling, circus tent.

Sunday, Sept. 29

8 a.m. to noon – Biscuits and gravy breakfast, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1121.

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Food and craft vendors.

Noon – The Great Kalita magician, entertainment tent at the park.

Noon – Garden tractor pull, behind Kewanna fire station, registration and weigh-in at 11 a.m.

Noon to 4 p.m. – Sixth annual motor show, Main Street; anything with a motor is eligible.

1 p.m. – Crossroads Band, NIPSCO stage.

1 p.m. – Dr. Insecta, entertainment tent at the park.

2 p.m. – Dinosaur Dimensions, entertainment tent at the park.

2 p.m. – Circus Classic.

3 p.m. – Flippenout trampoline act, baseball diamond.

4 p.m. – Conclusion of motor show, Main Street.