Webster Fall Festival Features Food, Fun and History

Good, old-fashioned family spirit will abound at the 30th annual Webster Township Fall Festival on Sept. 24.

The event, co-sponsored by the Webster Township Historical Society and , begins at 9 a.m. and will feature hayrides, a petting zoo, children’s crafts, a pig roast and local artist exhibits.

New activities this year include a tour of the historic Webster Church, built in 1834, complete with an antique quilt show in the church sanctuary. In addition, a blacksmith will demonstrate traditional handmade metalworking, and visitors can try wool-spinning techniques used by early settlers to make fabrics and clothing.

An auction of antiques and collectibles will begin at 9:30 a.m., conducted by the Ann Arbor auction house of Braun and Helmer.

“I’ve been a member of the Webster Historical Society for many
years and think the fall festival is a wonderful family event,” auction house co-owner Brian Braun said.

This year, event organizers also added a Young Performers Showcase to appeal to youths age 12-20. The showcase will feature poetry and music written, played and performed by local teens as well as an African drumming and dance class.

The festival's arts and crafts show will feature wooden spoons, wood toys, eco-friendly crafts, botanical soaps, sock dolls and large fleece animals, wood carvings, fabric jewelry, dried flowers and herb products and paintings.

“I’ve been exhibiting my nature watercolors at the Webster Fall Festival for more than 15 years and always look forward to the event,” artist Susan Falcone said. “I'll have a selection of new paintings including great blue heron, trumpeter swan and Sandhill crane.

“Local historical and rural shows like this are among my favorites in which to participate," she said. "The artists and craftspeople provide a wonderful selection of work, and the other attractions keep me returning yearly.”

Throughout the day, families can also shop at the Ghana Garage, which features gently used clothing, furniture, jewelry and African cultural items. Proceeds are used to support educational scholarships for needy children in Ghana, West Africa.

A pig roast will conclude the evening at 5 p.m. and costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. Throughout the day, a "Taste of Webster” will also offer homemade cookies, cakes, pies, jellies, jams, honey, maple syrup and beverages.

This year’s festival is dedicated to Dave Calhoun and Linda Chapman, who both died this year. Calhoun, treasurer for Webster Township from 1999 to 2006, was one of the founding  members of the Webster Township Historical Society and a member of the Webster United Church of Christ. Chapman used her vast knowledge and education in historical preservation to help create and nurture the Webster Township Historical Village, where the festival has taken place for 30 years.

"Linda’s involvement was truly a labor of love," resident Cynthia Zuccaro said.

For information or to participate in the Young Performers Showcase, call Michelle or Ava Obrecht at 734-426-5115. To participate in the artists showcase, call Judy Bemis at 734-646-6092.