When the Fall Fest committee decided to postpone our annual event, we took a chance on everything holding together for the two week delay. September 30 dawned, a bit cloudy, but free of hurricane-force winds or threatening rain clouds. By 7:30 a.m., Harpswell Historic Park was a beehive of activity. Vendors were unloading displays and merchandise, garden club volunteers were setting up tents and making last-minute preparations for the yard sale. The baked goods arrived in baskets filling two cars, to be set out on tables for prospective customers to see.

West Harpswell Baptist Church gave away pumpkins!

Club President Tuckie Westfall with Suzanne Bushnell and some of the flower arrangements they put together

Bake Sale looks delicious!

At 8:30 sharp, the turkey call sounded, the yard sale doors opened, and the day’s festivities began. The marvelous mums lined the path, vases filled with colorful flowers overflowed the tables under the club’s canopy, and vendors were ready to sell their delightful crafts. A steady flow of visitors continued through the morning, some stopping for the hot dogs at the stand under a locust tree. Baked goods sold out, as did the flower arrangements. The attic treasures disappeared into the cars and trucks of happy shoppers.

Peg Newberg, Linda Clement and Sherry Holt on duty at the bake sale tent

Harpswell Garden Club offers a tremendous thanks to the support given this event. Setting up a sale makes no difference if no one comes to shop. The community and club members spent time browsing the selections and all contributed to a successful fundraiser. The money garnered at our Fall Fest will help keep those gardens beautiful. It will go toward camper scholarships with Harpswell Heritage Land Trust and Merrymeeting Audubon. Some funds will be set aside for the upkeep of the historic Union Church maintained by the club.

Congratulations, Fall Fest Committee, and thank you, all, for your support!