Ronan celebrates Harvest Fest
Pictured left to right are Larry, Mary and Eric Hall of Ronan. The family won the Dutch oven cookoff Saturday at Harvest Fest with a hard cider-braised chicken dish. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Students from Ronan High School made scarecrows that were sold at Harvest Fest over the weekend. Organizers say that anyone interested in purchasing a scarecrow for $35 can inquire at the Flower Mill in Ronan. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Organizers of the Harvest Fest in Ronan called this year’s turnout a success, with hundreds of people showing up through the day. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Emmett Booth, 2, left, rolls down a pumpkin to knock down pins, moments after brother Wyatt, 4, pushed his pumpkin down the ramp. Helping the brothers was their aunt, Savanah Duell. The family attended Harvest Fest in their hometown of Ronan Saturday. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
The public voted on their favorite decorated bales during the Harvest Fest, choosing thge Salish & Kootenai Housing Authority display honoring fire crews. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Linda Smith of the Ronan Library District concentrates as she does a face painting for Lainey Johnson, 8, of Ronan. Lainey had a turtle painted then decided she wanted to add a rainbow. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
Tom Chism leads a tractor ride for kids at Harvest Fest. (Ashley Fox/Lake County Leader)
While six teams competed in the Dutch oven cookoff at Saturday’s Harvest Fest in Ronan, one family took home the first place prize.
The Hall family, inclding husband Larry, wife Mary and son Eric, received the top honor after concocting a hard cider-braised chicken dish.
Complementing the entree were baked apples and a huckleberry apple tart.
Mary said that the idea for their entry came after visiting family, and huckleberries were in the freezer.
“Then the main dish is actually from an old cookbook,” Larry said, pointing to a dated book called “Bon Appetit.”
“This is old-country recipes,” he said, adding that the winning course originates from Normandy.
An apple brandy was also used in the recipe, Larry noted.
The father and son both work at S&K Electronics - Larry as the chief executive officer and Eric as a quality engineer.
Mary is retired from Community Bank in Ronan.
Cooking is a favorite pastime for Larry and Eric, they each agreed.
“We’re foodies,” Larry said with a laugh.
“He’s great with French cuisine and I’m more (into) old-school Italian,” Eric explained.
Mary added that she cleans up after the father and son create entrees.
The family received an apron that marked the winning.
Organizers of Harvest Fest in Ronan are calling the event a success, even though there was no confirmation on how much money was raised.
“People came out and really supported it,” Ronna Walchuk, one of the organizers, said Monday morning.
“We were really excited” about the turnout, she added.
Taking first place for the round bales of hay that were decorated was S&K Housing with their tribute to firefighters, followed by Quick Silvers cow in Pablo, and Lynn’s Drive Through in Ronan received third place for King Kong.
Organizers said that a ribbon will be awarded to the winners.
Another key event with the autumn celebration is the Dutch oven cook off, which Walchuk said there is already interest growing for next year’s competition.
Walchuk is a Ronan Chamber of Commerce board member and she is also part of the city’s beautification committee, which proceeds from the Harvest Fest will benefit.
Visitors lined up to cast their votes on their favorite decorated bale of hay, with the S&K Housing Authority taking first place this year with their thanks to firefighters.
Scarecrows were also available for purchase, with proceeds benefitting beautification as well.
The fall props were made by Ronan High School shop class and Art class, as well as local artists.
Walchuk said that scarecrows not sold during Harvest Fest can be purchased for $35 at The Flower Mill, 106 Main St. SW. Information can be obtained by calling the shop at 676-5323 and asking for Walchuk, she said.