'Hay' there! Decorated bales line U.S. 93 for Harvest Fest
Owlfred Hay sits outside True Value in Ronan. (Photo courtesy Chris Kelly)
Don Aadsen Ford Dealership on Ronan has a deer on display for Harvest Fest. (Photo courtesy of Chris Kelly)
A monster truck sits in front of Rocky Mountain Twist in Ronan. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Frankenstein’s Monster sits on the corner of Pablo Way West and U.S. Highway 93. The display was constructed by Mission Valley Power. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
A campsite was built out of hay bales in front of Cenex in Ronan for Harvest Fest. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
A larger-than-life cow sits in front of Exxon in Pablo. (Photo courtesy Chris Kelly)
Salish & Kootenai Housing Authority made a display honoring fire crews for their Harvest Fest hay bale display. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Driving along Highway 93 in Pablo and Ronan, motorists see the Monster of Frankenstein and Smokey Bear, along with a big cow that is lounging in green grass.
The sights are three of nearly 100 and are part of a growing nine-year tradition.
Originating in 2008, Harvest Fest was a brainstorm by Ky Bartells and Ronna Walchuk who wanted to celebrate fall with the community.
“We presented the idea to the (Ronan) Chamber (of Commerce),” Walchuk said. The chamber has hosted the event every year.
Walchuk is a Ronan Chamber of Commerce board member and she is also part of the city’s beautification committee.
This year, there are 97 bales, mostly located on Highway 93, with some that wander onto side roads, Walchuk said.
“It just put Ronan on the map,” she said, adding that the event is a success each year.
Interested businesses pay $10 for the hay, which is hauled to each location and picked up by Lake Farms.
The decorated hay is part of a people’s choice contest. Ballots can be picked up at the Ronan Chamber of Commerce, located at 106 Main St. West.
A winner will be announced Sept. 16, the day of Harvest Fest.
Last year’s winner was the People’s Center, with Minions.
On Sept. 16, there will be a Dutch oven cook off at the vistor’s center in Ronan, behind Glacier Bank.
The cook off starts at 9 a.m. and lasts until 3 p.m. Sample plates will be sold starting at noon.
The cook-off, Walchuk said, is a branch committee from the Ronan Chamber of Commerce. Proceeds benefit the Ronan Beautification Committee.
This year, more activities for kids have been added, including an inflatable jump house and games.
Scarecrows will also be for sale for $35 each, Walchuk said, with proceeds benefitting the beautification effort as well.
The Ronan High School shop class and art class, as well as local artists offered help with the assembly of the scarecrows.
For more information, contact the Ronan Chamber of Commerce at (406) 676-8300.