With the beginning of the fall season and the Labor Day holiday, the town of Windsor has seemingly always had its way to celebrate: the Harvest Festival.
The annual Windsor Harvest Festival was held on Sept. 1-2 and featured the usual Labor Day parade and fair festivities. This particular year was Windsor’s 102nd year of the festival.
“Being around for 102 years is actually a good span of time!” Windsor Mayor Julie Cline said.
The harvest festival dates back to times even before the town of Windsor and it was meant to harvest all of the crops that farmers grew in the summer and to welcome the fall season. “We came from a farming background here in Windsor,” Cline said. “That started with, really, all of the sugar beets in the area.”
However, in modern days, the event has evolved into a celebration featuring a Labor Day parade, food, vendors and music.
The parade was the first event of Labor Day and had floats ranging from businesses to dancers to religious groups. Colin Tauriainen (12) was in the parade this year.
“I was with the American Legion, post 109, here in Windsor. It is a veteran organization,” Tauriainen said. He is an officer for the American Legion and was asked to march in the parade. Tauriainen’s job was to raise awareness and support for veterans.
After the parade ended, Tauriainen headed over to the festival for some activities and fun. Michala Taylor (12) also attended the festival.
“It was super fun. It’s cool that we have an event that can get the whole town together. Also, there’s lots of things to do like shop and go on rides,” Taylor said.
Taylor and her family go every year and it is a tradition for them. But this year, Taylor got to experience something that she isn’t used to: “I really liked the petting zoo. I’ve never been to the petting zoo before and the animals were really cute.”
As the townspeople say goodbye to another summer season, the festival continues to be a major part of the community. “I do believe it is very important to the community,” Cline said. “Everyone says they want to feel that ‘small town’ feel and get to do more activities and this is something that allows everyone to have a little of something. The festival does give an opportunity for anyone to enjoy as little or as much as they want to and can be involved as little or as much as they want to.”
