Montgomery FFA Branch Holds Third Fall Festival

The Montgomery County FFA branch held its third annual fall festival fundraiser on Nov. 13 on the Brogdon Field in Mount Vernon.

“It’s put on by the FFA in order to get community involvement along with fundraising for us so that we can continue on as a chapter,” said FFA student state secretary Hannah Williamson.

Guests of the festival could purchase a set number of “punches” which they could spend at a variety of carnival game booths, including bowling, golf, ball and ring toss games, fishing, a balloon popping game and more. Young children could also play in a small bounce house.

Attendees could also participate in a “cake walk” game, in which players would walk around a circle with set numbers to the tune of a song, similarly to musical chairs. When the music stopped, players would stop, the game operators would pull a number out of a container, and a player standing on the same number would be awarded a cake.

The festival also accepted submissions for a food drive, which would have the food donated to local food pantries. Concessions and funnel cakes were also available for attendees to purchase.

“I think it’s great,” said Montgomery County High School Principal Tracy McNeal.

The festival was organized by Montgomery County’s middle and high school FFA members as a fundraising and community event. Most of the games were operated by student members.

“The middle school and high school FFA officer teams both got together in order to put everything, so everybody got to pick out their own little booth,” said Williamson.

This year was the first year the festival was held outside. The previous two festivals had been held inside the middle school gymnasium.

According to Williamson, the student group hopes to expand the festival in the future, though as a senior, she will be unable to help.

“Sadly, as a senior, I’ll only be able to help as an alumni and on the sidelines, but I know a lot for all of us, we’re going to get together and keep working together in order to make it all happen and be bigger,” said Williamson.