The fall festival in Newton combines two very popular and long-running events. Taste of Newton is September 30, and the Bethel College Fall Festival continues with special events during the weekend.
Entry to Taste of Newton and to the fall festival is FREE.
Taste of Newton
The Taste of Newton event kicks off at 6 p.m. on Thursday evening and features food booths from local organizations and live musical and visual entertainment on Main Street in downtown Newton, KS. Bethel College and the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce partner on this annual event to celebrate the community and kick off Fall Festival. Churches, clubs, organizations and private vendors host food booths covering three city blocks downtown. Plus, there will be two areas for live music and other performances (schedule and performers still tentative).
Broadway & Main – Everence Financial Services Stage
6 – 6:45 p.m. Bethel College Jazz
6:55 – 7:15 p.m. Newton Community Children’s Choir
7:20 – 7:40 p.m. Sound of the Heartland
7:45 – 8:30 p.m. Newton High School
Sixth & Main – on the pavement
6 – 6:20 p.m. Newton Performing Arts Center
6:25 – 6:45 p.m. Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts Dance
6:50 – 7:10 p.m. Newton Tae Kwon Do
7:15 – 7:35 p.m. Newton High School Railiners
7:40 – 8 p.m. Junior Railer Cheer Club
8:05 – 8:25 p.m. Circle 8 Square Dance Club
Bethel Fall Festival
Admission to the Bethel Fall Festival is FREE, although a few activities and the theatrical performances require separate ticket purchases.
Admission to the Kauffman Museum is FREE Thursday through Sunday during the Bethel Fall Festival.
On Thursday, September 30, the Art Gallery on campus and the Kauffman Museum at 27th and Main will have special exhibits.
On Friday, Bethel College hosts a campus visit day for area high school students and a STEM symposium that begins on Friday afternoon. The museums remain open during the day and there is also a golf tournament at Hesston Public Golf Course.
Friday night, the irreverent comedy The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), opens in the Krehbiel Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. Performances are scheduled throughout the weekend. Tickets prices range from $3.50 for Bethel college students to $11.50 for adults.
Saturday’s fall festival events at Bethel generally include traditional Mennonite fare and other food, live music and other fine arts performances, children’s activities, exhibits at Kauffman Museum, and more.
On Sunday the festival concludes with worship and performance on the Fall Fest stage.
You can see a complete schedule of events at the Bethel College Fall Festival website.