Organizers of this year’s Hope Fall Festival are considering it one of the most successful since the event started eight years ago.
“This year was amazing,” said Pat Coup, member of the Hope Community Projects Committee (HCPC). “We had one of the best crowds we’ve had in a long time. Main Street was lined with vehicles and people.” This year’s Hope Fall Festival took place all day Saturday and Sunday morning in downtown Hope with the theme being "Hope is Where Our Heart Is."
Coup said she wasn’t sure how many people came to this year’s festival but said it was one of the largest.
While there are many aspects that contributed to this year’s good turnout, Coup said the nice weather played a large role in it.
“The guys couldn’t be in the field (because of the rain Friday night) and the temperature was really nice,” she said.
Coup said last year it was raining and that some years have been really warm.
The two events the crowd liked the most this year were the firehouse showdown and the Commanding General's Mounted Color Guard.
Both events were new to the festival this year.
Coup said everyone she talked to really enjoy those two events and that they are hoping to bring both of them back next year.
The kid’s events were also a big hit at this year’s festival, Coup said. The kid’s events included turtle races, a pedal pull and a kid’s corner with multiple games for children. “The kids love to come over and take part in the event,” said Amber Floyd, who lives in Carlton and has children that attend Hope. “It really is a family event and has something for everyone. Plus this is a great way to show support for the town and community.”
The parade was also a success, according to Coup. It had more than 50 entries and people lining the street to watch.
Many of the entries followed the theme, with the Hope Historical Museum winning with the best parade entry.
The first place float had Leon Coup’s Model A, which took second place in the car show for 1930-1939 vehicles, and had a rocking chair and plow on it.
Second place in the parade went to Gary Schnider and third went to Lorna Morgan.
The Hope Heritage Festival has been held for the last eight years in September and has grown every year. Check back here for next years dates and events as they become available.
