I threw a Harvest Festival at my church this past Saturday and it was a great success. It was definitely a challenge but I over came the road bumps the devil tried to put in my path to make me want to give up. I was SO occupied getting the decorations set up, making sure all the booths were up and ready with a volunteer at them that I forgot to take a lot of pictures. I snapped a few after the fact when the festival was up and going. It took me about one whole week every night after work to get about 20 signs made, each different, and all the other decorations.

This festival was thrown on a $500 budget and I was able to get a combo jump house, pony rides, provide most of the prizes, made most of the booths, signs, decorations, hay ride, face painting and good consession stand food! I was so happy with the turn out and I learned a few tips that will benefit me next year when it rolls around.

Here are the last minute shots I got of only a small fraction of my design.

I went old school and made linked paper chain to go with the lettering.

There really wasn’t a good way I could take these pictures becuase it was so windy so they wouldn’t stay still THEN they were tapped to a round table. These are a few of the many signs I made. I must say these made my brain hurt because I had to think of a new design for each sign. I used tissue paper, glitter, napkins and markers to make all the signs.

Here are just some fun pictures of the festival.

This is my parents and my sisters. My mom was SO proud of her silly costume she found at the thrift store for $3!!! My family really came through for me and helped out a lot- thanks!!!!!!!

My little Madelyn getting her face painted.

My sister Melinda had her own booth…..which ever fish you caught was numbered and that was the prize you got. Madelyn has her hooks and fish and lets just say this game is still fully alive in our bath tub!

I had to add this picture because I dont know what the heck I was telling him but I am so expressive and had everyone’s attention. My cousin was doing hay rides and OMG we needed seat belts! The bigger kids…..actually now that I look at this picture its the two boys in the black shirts in the front and back and they are brothers! THEY were complaining that the ride was boring and talked my cousin into going fast! WOW, im talking about a dirt trail in our path because we were off roading in the freaking soccer field! Hands down craziest hay ride I have been in. Actually my younger sister fell out lol!

 We had a Trunk Or Treat and I caught Madelyn sneaking some candy by herself! She had to climb in there because the candy was so far back in the trunk!

Nevaeh is our modern day hippie so this costume fit her PERFECT! Halloween night she even wore heels with it!!!

My brother in law, Jon, looked so freaking cute! I loved his outfit! This is my niece Isabella….so was so mad that she couldn’t move and had those darn gloves on her hands!

 I had to put this one in…this is our oldest grandchild and I can’t believe he has gotten so big and mature! He was supposed to look like Run DMC….I believe he achieved his goal!

I am going to close with this picture. My sister Melinda had a bunch of candy and prizes left from her booth and the night was coming to a end so with her back ground being in track, her son ran track and she is SO freaking competitive, she wanted to do some races. This was was 9 year old and up race….my nephew (far right) won we also had an adult race which was so fun to watch seeing as I was the ref at the finish line! (BTW the kid in the green shirt was standing by me and jumped in the race, he didn’t actually run faster then the big kids lol)

I LOVE working for the Children’s Ministry at my church and this was the first community outreach I have done and I now know will not be the last. The wind was against us that day but we pulled threw the frustrations, as did my decorations, and it was a success!!!!!!!

Thank you everyone for your help!!!!!!