It’s time for fall festivals again

Like a lot of folks, I welcome fall with its cooler weather, festivals and upcoming holidays.

I may not be quite as into the pumpkin spice craze (do our pets really want pumpkin spice-flavored dog bones?) as some, but I love the fall decorations and all of the activities that October brings.

Poplar Bluff’s Iron Horse Festival helped kick off the festival season for us here at the DAR. In the coming weeks, we’ll have staff in Broseley, Qulin, Fisk and many other communities as residents come together to celebrate.

It’s something that means more to some of us this year, because of the cancelations and losses of 2020.

I want to thank all of the volunteers and workers who have invested their time and talents into these projects. I’ve often seen that these big events we all enjoy are pulled together by a small number of people willing to pull together and do the tedious or dirty work of making sure everything gets done.

I’m sure it can feel like a thankless job at times, especially when things don’t go without a hitch (like the events this weekend that are likely to see quite a bit of rain.)

But those celebrations help reinforce our feelings of community and ties to friends and neighbors, even when we can’t make it to the actual event. Thank you everyone who helped pull off the tremendously successful Iron Horse event and the upcoming homecomings and festivals.

If you haven’t heard yet, Qulin and Naylor are both holding festivals today; Van Buren’s will cover two days, Oct. 9-10; and Broseley’s event will be Oct. 16.

Have fun!

Donna Farley is the editor of the Daily American Republic. She can be reached at dfarley.dar@gmail.com.