Wallace preparing for annual Fall Festival
Wallace is gearing up for its annual Fall Festival, themed “Home Grown Gratitude,” with three days of activities for all ages from Sunday, Sept. 13, through Sunday, Sept. 21. Residents and visitors are invited to join in the celebration of community, local traditions, and family fun.
The festival kicks off Sunday, Sept. 13, with a golf tournament at 10 a.m. at the Oregon Trails Golf Course. Interested participants can contact Scott Sauser at (308) 340-1469.
The festivities continue Friday, Sept. 19, with an open trap shooting event south of the park at 6 p.m., hosted by Quenton Smith, (402) 802-7336.
Saturday, Sept. 20, promises a full day of entertainment and activities. The day begins with a free-will donation pancake and sausage breakfast at the Wallace Fire Hall from 7:30–9 a.m. At the same time, runners and walkers can register for the 5K Run/Walk at the front of Wallace School, with a $25 entry fee (contacts: Madisen Clough, 737-0834, or Rachel Hanson, 402-660-8938).
The town park will host a pickleball tournament for teams of two starting at 8 a.m., pausing for the parade and resuming afterward (contact Julie Robertson, 289-6858). Craft enthusiasts can visit the American Legion from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. for a craft show and bake sale ($15 table fee, contact Mickey Phillips, 530-2831), while Hidden Scoop Coffee & Ice Cream will be open from 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
The 10 a.m. parade on Main Street, with lineup at the airport at 9 a.m., will feature the presentation of Grand Marshall, Old Scout, and Good Neighbor awards. Following the parade, kids can enjoy races—including toad and turtle races (bring your own), and outhouse races (three-person teams, contact Matt Peyton, 586-651-3306). The Junior Class Labor Auction, Wheel of Fire, and silent auction will also take place at the Fire Hall and Main Street parade stand (silent auction 7 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; Wheel of Fire after parade til 1 p.m., contact Leslie Chrisman, 402-416-1915).
Other highlights on Saturday include a quilt show and book sale at the library (after parade til 3 p.m., contact Christy Sheets, 386-6267), a pulled pork and hot dog lunch at the Community Hall (11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., free-will donation), a truck and antique tractor pull south of the park at noon (contact Trevor Lehman, 340-3199), Fun Jumpz and kids’ games at the park, goat roping at 2 p.m. (registration 1 p.m., contact Ali Kohler, 539-3369), and the Dusty Trails Petting Zoo (1–4 p.m., west of Mac’s Super Foods, sponsored by Mac’s).
For older students, grades 6–12, activities run 2–8:30 p.m. at Legion Landon Swedberg (520-9984). Frisbee golf will also take place at 2:30 p.m. in the park (contact Micah Swedburg, 660-7276). Evening events include a beer garden and corn hole tournament at T’s Bar & Grill starting at 4 p.m., food from Alejandro’s Mexican Food Truck (contact Tracy Tyan, 539-2628), live music on Main Street by Brandon & the Elevens (4–8 p.m.) and Hockett (8:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.), a chili cook-off at the Community Hall from 5:30–7 p.m. ($5 adults, $2 children, contact Krystle Friesen, 387-4204), and a family movie at 8:30 p.m. at the ball field parking lot.
The festival concludes Sunday, Sept. 21, with a double-elimination volleyball tournament in the school gym starting at 8 a.m. (contact Madisen Clough, 737-0834). Wallace Churches and the Wallace Hotel will host a coffee and muffin fellowship from 10:30–11 a.m., followed by a community-wide church service on Main Street from 11 a.m.–12 p.m. The Lions Club will serve a free-will donation lunch at the Legion Hall from 12–1 p.m.
For more information on specific events, registration, or participation, residents are encouraged to contact the event organizers listed above. Wallace’s Fall Festival promises to offer something for everyone, highlighting the community’s enduring spirit and homegrown gratitude.