Dear Editor,

I would like to congratulate the 2026 Newman Fall Festival Committee on a job well done! After watching the final entry in the parade, I believe this was one of the best parades we’ve ever had.

It seems almost impossible that our first Fall Festival was held 55 years ago. At the time, I had just joined a recently formed service club for young women called the Newman Women’s League. We were meeting for the first time to discuss future service projects when one of our members, a longtime Westside resident, recalled that Newman had held fall festivals in years past to celebrate the harvest. The club decided that reviving the Fall Festival would be our first service project.

We wanted to create an event that would provide a venue for residents and service clubs to raise funds while promoting Newman as a wonderful place to live and visit.

The first step was choosing a date, and Labor Day seemed the logical choice. Next, we needed the support of the City of Newman, the Chamber of Commerce, and local residents. We developed a plan and presented it to the other service clubs. We knew this undertaking would require approvals, cooperation, and many volunteers.

The Chamber of Commerce directors responded by offering to help us with a float that could represent our celebration and Newman in parades throughout the county. We also needed to establish a committee to oversee the festival and its finances. As volunteers stepped forward, the Newman Fall Festival Committee was formed to organize and facilitate the celebration.

Although we started small, the festival has evolved into a noteworthy event that our residents can be proud of. It has become a time when old friends gather and newcomers are welcomed into the community. That first year, we held a street dance and had a handful of food booths downtown. As the committee grew, so did the ideas and activities, including a pageant to select Newman’s royalty, who would serve as ambassadors for our city.

Our goal was to provide activities and events for all ages while creating fundraising opportunities for the community. The Newman Women’s League would be proud to see how far that original vision has come. Today, we have one of the nicest celebrations in the county!

For the festival to continue to thrive, we will always need volunteers and community support. Please get involved when you are asked. It is gratifying to see that the festival’s growth and success have far exceeded our original goals.

Thank you to the past and present residents of Newman, the Newman family for their continued support, and, once again, the 2026 Newman Fall Festival Committee for a job well done!

With appreciation and community pride,

Carol Stephens,

Past General Chairman of the Newman Fall Festival Committee