NEWMAN — The Newman Fall Festival once again filled Pioneer Park and downtown with the kind of small‑town energy that reminds residents why the tradition has lasted more than half a century. Now in its 55th year, the festival delivered three days of carnival rides, food vendors, music, pageants, contests, pets, a parade and plenty of familiar faces.
The weekend began Friday, Sept. 4, with food and beverage vendors, carnival attractions at Pioneer Park, face painting and balloon twisting at the gazebo, Lucha Libre wrestling and the Evening Under the Stars tasting event at the Downtown Plaza.
Saturday’s schedule kept the momentum going with a volleyball tournament, baking contest, Cruzin’ Critters, Kids’ Zone activities, vendors, fire truck rides, Pets on Parade, live entertainment, Battle of the Bands and both the Little Mr. and Miss Newman Pageant and the Miss Newman Pageant. Families crowded around the gazebo as the 2026 Newman court was crowned: Vanessa Perez, named Miss Newman and Miss Congeniality; Kimberly Hurtado Coria, first runner‑up; Lindsey Starr, second runner‑up; Landon Cruickshank Artea, Little Mr. Newman; and Penny Cruickshank Artea, Little Miss Newman.
Sunday brought one of the festival’s biggest traditions — the parade through downtown Newman. Families lined Main and Fresno streets to watch entries roll through town before heading back to Pioneer Park for more food, vendors, carnival rides, the car show, baking contest awards, cornhole, Elvis entertainment, Newman’s Got Talent and an evening performance by No Way Back.
For many residents, the festival’s draw goes beyond the schedule. It’s the feeling of seeing the whole town out at once. “This is the kind of weekend where you run into everybody,” said Jacob French, who attended with his family. “You come for the parade or the food, but you end up staying because you keep seeing people you know. That’s what makes it feel like Newman.”
Longtime resident Christopher Santos said the festival remains a touchstone for the community. “I’ve been coming to this for years, and it still feels special,” he said. “The town changes, kids grow up, families move around, but Fall Festival brings everybody back together.”
The weekend also gave young performers and local talent a chance to shine. Between Battle of the Bands, Newman’s Got Talent, dance performances and the pageants, the spotlight belonged to the community. “I loved seeing the kids perform and seeing the new court crowned,” said Sabrina Wetch. “There was so much pride in the park.”
For others, the variety was the highlight. “You could walk through the vendors, grab something to eat, watch the entertainment, take the kids to the carnival and still have more to do,” said Alicia Herrera. “It felt busy in the best way.”
Children had their own favorites. Max, age 10, said he liked the carnival rides most, while Jessica, age 8, said she enjoyed the pets and the music. “It was fun because everybody was outside,” she said.
The festival was also scheduled to continue Monday, Sept. 7, with a softball tournament at Barrington Park, giving residents one more way to close out the long weekend.
From pageant crowns to carnival lights, from the parade route to the gazebo stage, the Newman Fall Festival once again showed why it remains one of the community’s most loved traditions — a weekend full of laughter, hometown pride and the simple joy of seeing Newman come together.
Editor’s note: A full list of parade results and all contest winners will appear in the next issue of the Westside Connect.
