Wellington Fall Festival Returns With New Contests, Community Events
WELLINGTON, Kan. — The Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Fall Festival on Oct. 4, featuring traditional community activities and new competitions at Heritage Park in downtown Wellington.
The festival, themed "Bushels of Fun," will include a homecoming parade, art and craft fair, chili cook-off and apple pie contest. New this year are a pumpkin pie contest, kids coloring contest and pumpkin seed spitting contest.
"We're excited to expand our festival offerings," said Valerie Earl, executive director of the Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce. "The community response has been wonderful."
Festival activities include:
- Homecoming parade
- Art and craft fair
- Chili cook-off
- Apple pie contest
- Pumpkin pie contest (new)
- Kids coloring contest
- Pumpkin seed spitting contest
The festival marks a continuation of Wellington's community tradition. A 2021 festival featured similar activities including an art and craft fair, chili cook-off, cinnamon roll contest and veteran's salute.
The festival also debuts a BBQ cook-off competition offering a $500 grand prize plus trophy, with a $300 reserve grand prize. Teams can enter four categories: chicken, ribs, pork butt and smoked dessert. The entry fee is $125 per team, with a registration deadline of Sept. 19.
Turn-ins for judging begin at 10 a.m., with specific times for each category. The People's Choice Award for smoked dessert runs from noon to 1:30 p.m.
Festival organizers require all BBQ competitors to attend a mandatory cook's meeting Friday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m. at the Heritage Park stage. Teams may arrive as early as 1 p.m. that day to set up.
Food safety regulations require pre-trimmed meat to be vacuum sealed with no pre-seasonings or injections. All fuel sources are permitted, including wood, pellet and charcoal.
The Wellington Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 208 N. Washington Ave., coordinates the event. More details are available by calling 620-326-7466.
The festival builds on Wellington's year-round event calendar, which includes the Kansas Wheat Festival in July and the Chamber Golf Classic in June.