Cashton Fall Fest returns for 79th year

Cashton will pack a lot into three days when its annual Fall Fest returns this weekend.

The 79th annual Cashton Fall Festival will run Friday through Sunday, Sept. 11–13, bringing three days of music, games, food and familiar festival traditions. This year’s theme, “Planting Pride — Harvesting Community,” reflects both Cashton’s agricultural roots and the people who keep the celebration going year after year.

Festival activities begin in earnest Friday evening.

An antique tractor pull starts at 7 p.m. At the same time, the Cashton High School football team will play in Village Park.

Fall Fest buttons are required for admission Friday and Saturday. Buttons cost $3 in advance at participating local retailers or $5 during the festival.

Saturday begins early.

The Cashton Fire Department will serve a pancake breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. at the fire station. At 8 a.m., volleyball tournament play begins in Village Park, while the farmers market opens at the village gazebo. The market will remain open until 2 p.m.

Runners and walkers will gather at the Cashton Library for the annual 5K. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m., with the run and walk starting at 8:30 a.m.

Several shows will give visitors a reason to slow down and look around. The fifth annual Cashton Snowmobile Show runs from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the elementary school parking lot. A classic car and bike show will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., while the Cashton FFA Farm Toy Show and antique tractor show continue until 3 p.m. at the high school gym.

Arts and crafts vendors will be at the Cashton Community Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The afternoon belongs largely to the children. A kiddie parade begins at noon at Cashton High School, followed by carnival games from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Village Park. Youth flag football begins at 1 p.m., and children age 11 and younger can enter a free pedal tractor pull at 1:30 p.m.

Inflatables will also be available for children in the park.

Adults will have opportunities for competition, too. The Coulee Region Cornhole Tournament begins at 11 a.m. behind the large shelter, with registration at 10 a.m. A darts tournament begins at 3 p.m. at the small shelter, following registration at 2 p.m. A volleyball tournament will also be held during the festival. Those interested in participating may contact Curt Gradall at 608-654-5305.

Bingo will be played from 2:30 to 4 p.m.

Then the music takes over.

The Lead Canaries will perform from 4 to 7 p.m. High Mileage follows from 8 p.m. to midnight, bringing a night of rock ’n’ roll to the festival grounds. Both performances require a Fall Fest button for admission.

Fireworks will light the sky at dusk.

Sunday’s schedule is shorter, but it includes some of the festival’s most familiar traditions. Arts and crafts return to the Cashton Community Hall from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Charcoal chicken will be served at the park beginning at 11 a.m.

The Fall Fest parade steps off at 12:30 p.m.

After the parade, the Gary Brueggen Family Band will close out the weekend with music from 2 to 5 p.m. at Cashton Park.

Fall Fest has reached its 79th year through the work of the Cashton Community Club, local organizations, businesses, sponsors, and volunteers. For one busy weekend, their efforts will fill the park and surrounding community with the sights and sounds of a Cashton tradition that continues to bring people home.