RONAN — Fall was in the air this past weekend as the fourth Annual Harvest Fest was held in Ronan. The event was sponsored by the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce and included an Atlantic Giant Pumpkin Contest, a scarecrow and straw bale decorating contest, live music and a chili-cook-off. Children’s games included a zucchini race and pumpkin bowling.

Fourteen-year-old Hannah Vaughan of Ronan was hard at work recording the pumpkins’ weight for the Atlantic pumpkin competition, being a gourd-grower herself. Hannah described the long process that goes into growing a 300 lb. pumpkin. “It takes 600 square feet to grow a giant pumpkin, so it is not just care that is required but a lot of space,”  Hannah,  who grows her own pumpkins in her family’s greenhouse said, “Mid March is when you start growing a giant pumpkin for it to be ready at harvest season.”

Along with the Atlantic Pumpkin Competition was the chili-cook-off, where the defending champs from Community Bank were hard at work. Eric Hall said the secret was, “a low temp and a long cooking time.” Larry Hall, chili connoisseur said his secret ingredient was, “straight meat,” but listed some other important items such as, “syrup to deepen the flavor,” and  then advised, “just throw in whatever else you like.”

Chamber of Commerce members Ronna Walchuk of Ronan Flower Mill and Ky Bartels were pleased with the turn out this year.  “Harvest Fest began with the Chili-Cook off,” Walchuk said, “as a way to help local businesses and now we have 38 vendors from all over  the Mission Valley participating.” Bartels added, “Harvest Fest is a way to celebrate the fall season and a great way to bring the community together.”