Buddy Dyer loads the cider press with apples as Scott McCusker cranks it up. This is the first time the Hancock Lions Club has used the machine since Canal Apple Days. Dyer said the machine probably dates back to the late 1800s and in making the fresh apple cider, they had used 22 bushels by 11 a.m.
Chris Workman, aka “Conrad,” shows (from left to right) Conrad Shultz, Emmett Shultz, and Aubrey Sanders of Warfordsburg how to play Gluckshaus, a coin game played in medieval Germany.
by Geoff Fox
The first ever Harvest Festival in Hancock went off without a hitch this past Saturday as vendors set up along Main Street, pumpkins raced down the library parking lot, and history came alive in Widmeyer Park.
Vendors lined Main Street displayed various crafts and other items for folks to purchase, some offered baked goods or other food items, while some were informational.
Thirty vendors were set up from Methodist Street to Buddy Lou’s on Church Street.
Ally Gators, the Hancock Arts Council Band, performed in the afternoon. Weather was clear and warm for the fall event.
“It was so nice to see people out on the streets again,” organizers with Hancock In Motion said on their Facebook page.
Organizers said they are happy with the turn out.
“We have had a lot of good feedback,” said Linda Smith.
Some businesses offered in-store specials as well.
They are open to any thoughts and ideas for next year.
Smith said most of the people said they hope Hancock in Motion has another Harvest Festival next year and would like to return.
Hancock Parks and Recreation sponsored a pumpkin derby in the parking lot of the Hancock Veterans Memorial Library Saturday afternoon with 25 entries.
Pumpkins were decorated like clowns, animals, cartoon characters, and people.
The Pumpkin Derby race winners were: first place to Boy Scout Troop, second to Xia Hixon, and third to Isidora McCarty.
Each pumpkin was judged for its decoration.
Quinn Little won first place for scariest while Savannah Little placed second. Harlee Horton was first for funniest and Chloe Howe was second. Best design went to first place Kate Morris with Ella Tingler in second and Kyleigh Boyer in third. Blaise McCarty took the title of Most Unique.
While the festival was downtown, medieval times were laid out in Widmeyer Park.
There were four time periods represented on both Saturday and Sunday ranging from 800 A.D. to 1600s.
There were demonstrations on weaponry, games, clothing, and music.
Hancock Councilman Tim Boyer prepares three pumpkins to be launched down the hill of the parking lot of the Hancock Veterans Memorial Library in one of the Pumpkin Derby heats. Photo courtesy Hancock Parks and Recreation.
