Hisey Fall Fest-How Did it Start?

Story by Leslie R. Dye, MD Communications Chair, FWCPDOH

A special thanks to Jim Prickett, former secretary of the Friends of Warren County Park District and a 2023 Park Champion Service Award winner, who has been the backbone of Hisey Fall Fest and provided historical and background information about the festival for the blog.

WAYNESVILLE, OH -- Warren County Park District dedicated the 158-acre Hisey Park in Warren County Wayne Township, located at 5443 Middletown Road, in 2005, the same year as the first Hisey Fall Fest occurred. Dave Nuscher was living at the farm when the cofounders of the Friends of Warren County Park District, Judy Bay and Kathy Schroeder, suggested a fall festival. 

The festival got off to a slow start for the first two years, but in 2007, the Waynesville Dog Park Advocates convinced the Warren County Park District that the dogs of Warren County needed a safe place to run and play without leashes. This group of dog lovers held raffles, solicited donations and sold memorial brick pavers, and in cooperation with the Warren County Park District, the Hisey dog park had its grand opening at the 2007 Hisey Fall Fest. This was a turning point for the festival that saw a big increase in its popularity. 

An interesting historical news event had an effect on the trajectory of the festival. The rampant fear of candy being contaminated with pins, needles, acid, and other abominable items, led to a boon for the Hisey Fall Fest. At one point when Halloween fear was spreading about concerns of candy contaminated with pins, needles, and acid being introduced to our vulnerable children, trick-or-treating was only permitted during daylight hours. The Halloween carnival that was normally held at the public school in the evening was going to be cancelled, but instead it was moved to Hisey Park and combined with the annual Hisey Fall Fest. The event was held the last weekend of October with a stage, tent, and full barns. It was a vibrant affair with live bands, costume contests, prizes, games in all the barns, and food vendors. This joint effort lasted for about 6 or 7 years and was a huge success. As Halloween returned to normal and a cold, freezing rain hit one year of the festival, the decision was to move the date up one month earlier. This resulted in some loss of popularity because the focus fell away from Halloween. That didn't stop the Friends of Warren County Park District and the Park District from hosting a well-loved, annual fall event. 

As the weather starts to chill and leaves turn, families will participate in hayrides and pumpkin picking while several live demonstrations and educational events occur. This popular, free, event attracts 500-800 people. In addition to hayrides, a petting zoo, food truck, free pumpkins (while they last) will be available. The Caesar's Creek Soaring club will be there with a glider on display. Others in attendance and activities will be the 4H archery club, rocketry club, Warren County Astronomical Society, live cannon fire, the Waynesville Art Council (supervising pumpkin decorating), open home glamping demo, live reptiles and taxidermy, antique farm equipment demos, Mary L Cook Library, maple syrup/tree tapping information, local honey from Picky Bee apiary, tours of the house, and civil war reenactors.

When the festival started, pumpkins came from a farm in another county. Truckloads of young pumpkins were hauled in, which was a major undertaking, so pumpkins were later planted and harvested at Hisey Park. Unfortunately, pillaging affected the crop, so this year the decision was made to sow and raise them off site. Little did anyone know this year we would have such a bad drought! The slim harvest of 100-150 has required an additional purchase of about 400 more pumpkins. 

Countless hours of planning and organization from tireless volunteers make this event possible, including hours of pumpkin planting and picking and apple picking. Volunteer hours are also spent the day of the festival. Remember the easier an event looks, the more work it takes. Thank you to all who make events like this available to our community. For more information on how you can become a part of Friends of Warren County Park District please visit fwcpdoh.org

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