FallFest Returns to Polk State College

FallFest

Popular Fall Festival Hosted at Polk State College is Back

by James Coulter

Fall is right around the corner, and soon, Christmas will be as well. Both the autumn and holiday seasons are the favorite of Joyce Hatfield. Most of her handmade crafts are made for those times of the year, as she makes plenty of Christmas wreaths and autumn centerpieces and arrangements.

Many of these craft items are created using wooden items such as ladders and wheelbarrows crafted by her brother. She especially enjoys the floral and holiday arrangements she creates with the ladders, as they allow people to display their holiday spirit when they don’t have a place to hang a wreath, she explained.

Her floral arrangements and other crafts are sold through her Facebook page: Simply Adorable by Joyce. By far, her favorite venue is FallFest hosted at Polk State College, which will be making its epic return after a two-year hiatus on Sat., Oct. 8.

A Plant City resident, Joyce has been making and selling her crafts ever since she retired from Suncoast Credit Union 38 years ago. She has been attending Fall Fest for 30 years, and she is most happy to finally return after the event was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

“It is fantastic,” she said. “I am so excited because I cannot wait to get back with my customers and talk with them and help them decide what they want, and they are ready too. They are ready to do something different. They have been down in the doldrums these past two years. I am ready, and they are all looking forward to this.”

Aside from being able to make money off of her crafts again at the event, she is most looking forward to being able to meet with her fellow artists and craftsman and her loyal customers. She has missed them all for the past two years, and she is anticipating being able to catch up with them for old times’ sake.

“They are excited to come back,” she said. “I am too. I cannot wait to show them the different things that I’ve got, and they like having things that other people do not have...This is the show that starts the fall Christmas craft shows in the Winter Haven area. It is fantastic.”

After two years on hiatus, FallFest is making its epic return to Polk State College in Winter Haven. More than 100 vendors will be in attendance showcasing their homemade arts, crafts, and other merchandise. From handmade wreaths and floral arrangements to paintings, pottery, and sculptures, everything and anything will be on display during the college’s most popular event.

“FallFest has long been one of our signature events and connects Polk State College to our community,” said Nancy Lozell, Program Manager for The Arts. “We’re thrilled to be able to host our annual FallFest once again. We know the community has missed it.”

Aside from 100 artists and craftsmen showcasing their unique merchandise that cannot be found anywhere else, the event also hosts plenty of family-friendly games, activities, live music, and refreshments from hot dogs to barbecue. Attendees of all ages are expected to find something they can enjoy, and they can especially find something they want to bring home with them.

Proceeds from the event will go towards the Polk State College Foundation, the college’s non-profit organization that helps fund its many activities and endeavors, as well as supports its students through

scholarships, equipment purchases, and other expenses, explained Lozell.

FallFest has been going on for more than 30 years. However, the event was forced to be postponed for the past two years due to the COVID19 crisis. This year, now that COVID rates have gone down and immunization rates have increased, the event will be able to be hosted safely, and plenty of people are anticipating its return.

“We expect that this year’s event will feel just like past FallFests,” she said. “We’ve received a lot of early interest and we’re expecting upwards of 100 vendors again this year. As always, it should be a lot of fun for everyone.”

Wanda Leale is another local artist who will also be returning to FallFest. She paints on glass, wood, and clay pots. Her most popular art piece is a witch she created from flower pots. It always draws people to her booth and stirs up a conversation, she said.

Wanda has been attending FallFest since 1996. She had previously attended PSC back when it was still called Polk Community College in 1984. While she does not attend many craft shows, she attends FallFest every year; and after two years of not attending, she is happy to return once again.

“It is one [craft show] I do every year because it is enjoyable,” she said. “The crowd is incredible and every year it gets a little bigger and better...I have the same sport every year, and I always meet the vendors close to me. And it is always nice to touch base with them again. The camaraderie is great.”

Freida Brown has been attending the show since 2006. She specializes in floral arrangements, especially for the holiday season. Her love of crafts was inspired by her mother, and now she shares her love through craft shows such as this. She especially loves FallFest because it is the largest in Winter Haven.

“I think it is wonderful,” she said. “I was disappointed that they closed it for the last two years. I am ready to go and excited about being there again this year. I like meeting the customers and meeting people who come by and also interacting with the vendors. I enjoy all of that, and, of course, the sales are a plus.”

While fall weather is often rare here in Central Florida, FallFest marks the start of the fall season and begins the countdown to the holiday season. Its return this year is more than the return of an annual event, but rather, a local institution.

“Sometimes it’s hot, sometimes it rains, but FallFest always feels like an official changing of the seasons,” said Lozell. “It takes a lot of time, planning, and preparation, but seeing the joy on the faces of the patrons who attend the event and even on the faces of the vendors, makes it all worthwhile.”

FallFest will be hosted on Sat., Oct. 8. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be hosted at the Winter Haven campus of Polk State College, located at 999 Avenue H N.E., Winter Haven, Fl. 33881. For more information, visit https:// www.polk.edu/fallfest.

GO Wild IN THE Gardens

DISCOVER A WILDER SIDE OF BOK TOWER GARDENS

This fall, as Florida’s native wildflowers come to full bloom, explore the biodiversity found along the beautiful trails of the Pine Ridge Preserve or take a comfortable stroll through the historic Olmsted Gardens.

Look to the skies above for migrating birds or down below for gopher tortoises and more. Find a new path this fall and enjoy fresh air, whole body wellness, peace, and beauty all around.

FALL WINE WALK

OCTOBER 15 | 2 P.M. - 5 P.M.

Sip, sample and stroll through the Gardens while sampling 12 wines from exciting New World destinations including California, South Africa, Washington, New York, and Argentina.

Ticket price is $40 members/$55 non-members and includes wine samples, nibbles at each stop and a souvenir tasting glass.

Enjoy Steamin’ Jazz on the Terrace from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Blue Palmetto Café will be open late and serving menu items, ice cream, beer and wine.