HOWELL – Sunshine and smiling faces made an excellent pair for Howell Day during the first weekend of fall.
Thousands of people explored Soldier Memorial Park throughout the afternoon into the early evening. Mothers and fathers pushed strollers while fur babies led humans on the other end of their leashes. Laughter and a sense of community spirit appeared to be a common denominator among attendees.
Scouts, local businesses, and political candidates were among those mingling with crowds. People huddled near a pet adoption booth as several cats clung to those who picked them up, hoping to find forever homes.
A sizeable man-made boulder stood to the right of the event’s entrance as children of assorted ages lined up in front of it. At the same time that one group tested their rock-climbing skills, another group flung in the air on a bungee trampoline.
Smaller kids kicked off their shoes and moved from a series of inflatables to bounce off their energy. A small hand-crafted mini-golf course caught the attention of others making the rounds throughout the rows of vendors. Others opted to check out small mechanical rides traditionally found at fairs and carnivals.
The Police Department and members of Howell’s various fire departments were on location with some of their best equipment. Fire safety tips included a tour of a trailer set up as a smokehouse. In addition, the Howell Alliance sponsored a free family photo booth encouraging attendees to capture the day in pictures.
The Howell Marching Band brought its best game to the event to showcase its sounds beyond the football field.
Three separate bands with Howell ties took to the stage, beginning with high school students from the MVP band, Just Killin’ Time and Black Ties. In between sets, a local karate studio did a couple of demonstrations.
Food trucks lined up at the rear of the park offered patrons a choice between a variety of cuisines. A beer and wine tent kept to a strict adults-only policy in offering alcoholic beverages.
Steven Fecher, Howell’s Director of Community Relations, said Howell Day has been around for nearly fifty years. The fall festival allows government entities, local businesses, and special interest groups to casually interact with community members.
According to Fecher, this year’s celebration brought in the most significant number of attendees in recent history. Approximately 4,000 people stepped through the gates to enjoy the assortment of attractions.
“We had about 60 vendors here in the different booths,” he said. “We had an additional ten vendors that only sold food.”
Fecher, who has been organizing the event for the last twenty years, finds it a great opportunity for the community to come together. The end of the evening’s fireworks always proves to be a great hit with residents.
