WILSON CREEK — The Wilson Creek Harvest Fest will return Sept. 27, bigger and better than before. 

“Last year we didn't even have a Harvest Fest,” said Shirley Billings, who heads up the committee to restore the festival. “And typically in the past, it's been pretty short-lived. But we decided this year to make it a full day and something for everybody. Other than the vendors ... everything is free for kids.” 

The day will start at 8 a.m. with a fun run starting at Wilson Creek School, followed by a parade at 10 a.m., according to an announcement from the Harvest Fest committee. The parade will form up at the town ball field, make its way down Railroad Street to the grain elevators, then turn back on Broadway to the park. 

“We have kids’ games and bounce houses in the park,” Billings said. “We have three bounce houses coming. We have sack races, egg toss (and) tug-of-war.” 

There will be a bean bag toss tournament at 12:30 p.m., with separate categories for youth 12 and younger and adults, Billings said. The competition for the children is free; adults pay $5 to enter their tournament and the winner will take the pot. 

“A gentleman is bringing old, old tractors and old, old motors, like the big ones that make a lot of noise,” Billings said. “And of course, our little museum at the town hall will be open.” 

There will be a lawn mower race at 2 p.m., according to the announcement. 

The action moves to the Harvest Moon at 4:30 p.m. with bingo, followed by a horseshoe tournament at 6 p.m. and children’s karaoke at 6:30. The adults will take over the karaoke microphone at 8 p.m., and can sing until midnight if they like. 

One of the highlights of the new festival will be the quilt show in the former Grange Hall, Billings said. Along with the quilts, there will be a demonstration on spinning thread, she said. 

The Grange Hall was purchased in April by Michael Borrella, who has been restoring the building to its former state. Borella, a teacher, has spent summers in Grant County for many years, he said, and fell in love with the building when he saw it posted for sale online. Borella opened the building for a toy car display during the Little Big Show in June and is lending it again for the Harvest Fest. He said in June he hadn’t yet decided what to do with the building, but he wanted it to serve some sort of community function. 

“There's lots of possibilities,” he said. “What we don't want to do is really change anything. I haven't seen (a building) so pristine. It's a long-term project that I'll work on slowly but surely.” 

Billings said the list of vendors wasn’t complete, but she believes there will be Mexican food, snow cones and cotton candy at least. She anticipates about 15 vendors, she said. 

Bringing back the festival is a labor of love by about 12 committee members, who are divvying up the various events among them, Billings said.  

"We want to do it big, and we want the kids to be able to come and do whatever they want to do, free,” she said. “That was the goal.” 

Children enjoy the fall weather at a previous Wilson Creek Harvest Fest. The festival, which is returning this year after a hiatus, will be focused on free fun for the youngsters.

    The Wilson Creek Harvest Fest will return Sept. 27 with a parade, bouncy houses and children’s games.