87th Dalton Fall Festival brings crowds

Dalton's 87th annual Fall Festival attracted people from near and far for some hometown fun this past weekend.

With parades, music, a car show, crafts, horseshoes, kids games, a garden tractor pull and much more, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

According to Wanda Brogren, event organizer, the festival was a success.

"It was an awesome turnout," she said, "just a great weekend for it."

The Dalton Fall Festival started in the 1920s, and was originally a simple gathering to celebrate the completion of a new grain building in the town. The ladies made pies, and the farmers had such a good time meeting up with neighbors that they decided to make it an annual event.

Originally, the festival was held every year in late November. When World War II started, the festival was stopped, mainly due to the sugar shortage during the war.

But it wasn't long before the town started the festival back up.

"They really missed having it," Brogren said.

In 1948, even though there was still a sugar shortage, the town decided to get the festival going again, and it hasn't missed a year since.

This year's festival had some new high-tech additions to the lineup.

The town rented a 70-inch flatscreen TV to watch the Husker football game Saturday evening, with additional screens outside in the park. Everyone seemed to enjoy the novelty of watching the game outdoors, according to Brogren.

Another new addition was Dozer's Video Games – a climate-controlled trailer full of flatscreen TVs and the latest video games, with seating for 28 players and their audience. This popular attraction will also be featured during Oktoberfest weekend in Sidney, but Dalton got to try it out first.

Other popular events for kids included the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest, which drew 38 participants. The sidewalks in front of the high school were awash with bright chalk creations.

With prizes awarded to such entries as the "most blue" drawing and "friendliest" drawing, many kids walked away with prizes.

At the park, kids could win prizes by throwing darts at balloons, tossing bean bags, and more. Kid's Karaoke was also a big hit, as kids chose their favorite songs and sang them individually or in groups, in front of the crowd.

Grown ups had fun looking under the hoods of the many entries at the 2nd Annual Car Show, which also had a great turnout, Brogren said. The Aspen County Band played an array of country favorites while people snapped photos of classic cars and motorcycles.

For those with an ear for the old standards, the Cheyenne County Community Band performed at the high school on Sunday, playing big band music, polkas, and classics.

"The older people really appreciated hearing that music," Brogren said.

The mild temperatures and well-planned weekend full of events filled Dalton's streets with smiling faces, and attendees can't wait for next year's Fall Festival.

"The weather was great – people were pleased," Brogren said.

Results from the car show, horseshoe tournament, sidewalk chalk contest and Family Feud game will be published in Tuesday's edition.