Fall Festival 2023 schedule: Check back often – events are being updated regularly!
Longview Advisors offers fiduciary (fee-only) wealth management and hourly financial planning services. John Miller ’12, CFP®; offices in Newton and Wichita, www.LongviewAdvice.com
All events and activities take place on the Bethel College campus in North Newton unless otherwise noted. Check out our Fall Festival 2023 event on Facebook at Bethel College Kansas Alumni Association (https://fb.me/e/2uPob) or follow us on Twitter: @ThresherAlumni
Parking availability and locations:
- Thresher Stadium parking lot, 29th & Main
- East of Goering Hall, overflow east of tennis courts
- Kauffman Museum, 27th & Main
- North Newton streets
- Luyken Fine Arts Center parking lot, permit only, reserved for performers, exhibitors and those with handicapped parking permits
Admissions Visit Day
The Office of Admissions is excited to invite prospective students and families to experience all that Fall Festival has to offer. The core is still our Admissions Visit Day on Friday, Oct. 13. We also encourage students to enrich their experience by attending Taste of Newton, the Fall Festival musical, Fall Fest Saturday, the football game and more. We look forward to connecting with alumni and legacy families in addition to the many prospective families who will join in Fall Festival for the first time. If you’d like more information about Admissions Visit Day on Oct. 13, contact Missy Green, admissions visit coordinator, mgreen@bethelks.edu or 316 284-5229. Or, sign up for a visit at http://bethelks.edu/visit!
| Thursday, Oct. 12 |
This year, Fall Festival teams up with Cornerstone Day, Bethel College's online giving day.October 12 marks the establishment of the college -- it's a day to acknowledge and give back to the Bethel College fund, or your favorite designation. Why was Bethel important in your life and how can you pass that gift on? Pay it forward! https://www.bethelks.edu/gift 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Robert W. Regier Art Gallery Luyken Fine Arts Center “Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner,” exhibit by Virgil Penner ’60
9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Kauffman Museum 27th & Main, North Newton View the current special exhibition, “Climate and Energy Central.” The Museum Store and permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture,” “Mirror of the Martyrs,” the Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction and the historic farmstead will be open as well. Museum admission is free Thursday through Sunday.
6–9 p.m. Downtown Newton Taste of Newton - Entertainment sponsored by Everence
Bethel College and the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce partner on this annual event to celebrate the community and to kick off Fall Festival. Churches, clubs, organizations and private vendors host food booths covering three city blocks downtown. Plus, there are two areas for live music and other performances! Broadway & Main, stage 6-6:45 p.m. Bethel College Jazz 6:55-7:15 p.m. Newton Community Children’s Choir 7:25-7:40 p.m. Sound of the Heartland Chorus 7:50-8:30 p.m. Newton High School Jazz and NHS Railaires Sixth & Main, on the pavement 6-6:20 p.m. Newton Performing Arts Center 6:25-6:44 p.m. BCAPA Dance 6:50-7:10 p.m. Newton TaeKwonDo 7:15-7:35 p.m. Newton High School Railiners dance team 7:40-8 p.m. Newton Junior Railers Cheerleaders 8:05-8:25 p.m. Azteca Dancers |
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| Friday, Oct. 13 |
Golden Thresher Class ActivitiesPlease welcome the Class of 1973 as this year’s Golden Thresher class! If you are a member of the Class of ’73, please join us for these special activities (2 tickets per activity; limit one performance of the Fall Fest musical): Friday, Oct. 13 5-6:30 p.m. — Welcome Mixer in Mantz Library Lounge. Hors d’oeuvres and greetings from President Gering and alumni office staff. We will also take a class photo on the Ad Building steps. Click here to RSVP. 7:30 p.m. — Fall Fest musical, The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Buy tickets. Saturday, Oct. 14 1:30-2:30 p.m. — Milestone Reunion Gathering in Mem Hall. Mix and mingle with classmates and other milestone classes and look at yearbooks. Plus, cookies and coffee. 3:30 p.m. — Fall Fest musical, The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Buy tickets. 5-6:30 p.m. — Tailgate Cookout, east of Thresher Stadium parking lot (cafeteria in Schultz Student Center if inclement weather). Buy tickets. 6 p.m. — Fall Fest football game vs. McPherson College. The Golden Thresher class can enjoy VIP seating in the new Thresher Stadium locker room viewing suite. Gametime snacks will be served. Buy tickets here starting Sept. 30. Sunday, Oct. 15 11 a.m. — Golden Thresher brunch at The Breadbasket, 219 N. Main in Newton. Buffet available until 2 p.m. Five meats, salad bar, potatoes, vegetables and dessert for $16.49; private dining room reserved for the class. Click here to RSVP. 2 p.m. — Fall Fest musical, The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice. Buy tickets. Congratulations, Golden Threshers! Special thanks to the Class of 1973 Reunion Planning Committee: Delon Martens Roberta Franz Hodgson David Haury
Admissions Visit Day
9 a.m.–5 p.m Robert W. Regier Art Gallery Luyken Fine Arts Center “Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner,” exhibit by Virgil Penner ’60
9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Kauffman Museum 27th & Main View the current special exhibition, “Climate and Energy Central.” The Museum Store and permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture,” “Mirror of the Martyrs,” the Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction and the historic farmstead will be open as well. Museum admission is free Thursday through Sunday.
Noon Hesston Public Golf Course Thresher Classic Golf Tournament Check-in and lunch at noon; tee time at 1 p.m. Join other Thresher alumni and friends in a round of golf at the scenic Hesston Golf Course. Register online here.
6–8 p.m. Robert W. Regier Art Gallery Luyken Fine Arts Center Artist reception – Visit with Virgil Penner ’60 and view “Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner.”
6:30–7:30 p.m. Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby Ticket window open Purchase tickets for the Fall Festival musical, The Addams Family.
7 p.m. Sand Creek Event Center 1601 S. Anderson Ave., Newton Athletic Booster Club and Hall of Fame Banquet Honoring the 1996-97 women’s tennis team and Doug DeGroot ’01, football and track and field Ticket required; buy tickets here.
7:30 p.m. Krehbiel Auditorium Luyken Fine Arts Center Fall Fest musical: The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice Also at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance. |
| Saturday, Oct. 14 |
7-10 a.m. Kidron Bethel Village, Kidron Hall 3001 Ivy Drive, North Newton Country Breakfast during Fall Fest Pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee and orange juice; by donation, to benefit the Health Care Benevolent Fund, a ministry of Kidron Bethel Village to assist residents unable to cover the full cost of their care.
8-9 a.m. Kauffman Museum 27th & Main Kauffman Museum monthly bird walk A local birding expert will lead a one-hour, 1.5-mile walk along Bethel’s Sand Creek Trail looking and listening for birds. Trail terrain is uneven. No cost. Binoculars recommended but not required.
Food on the Green Fall Fest means fun, fellowship and food on the Green. Some booths start serving at 8 a.m., so get here early! Look for the following options and hosts during the day: Baked goods – BCAPA Barbecue – BC BBQ Club Beef borscht and zwieback – Bethel College Women’s Association (BCWA) Brats – BC golf Bread, pastries, sandwiches – Crust & Crumb Bakery (Sharon Entz) Burgers, chips, pop, bottled water – Bethel College Alumni Association Cinnamon rolls, coffee, hot chocolate – Bethel College Parents Association Specialty coffee – Memento Coffee (Julian Gonzalez-Salamanca) Cookies – BC Social Work Cotton candy – Harvey County Habitat for Humanity Hot links, sausages – Bethel College African-American Alumni Association Ice cream – Salted Creamery Kettlecorn – Kettle Ventures New Year’s cookies, coffee – BCWA Pie-by-the-slice – BCWA Verenike – Bethel College Alumni Association Walking tacos – BC softball
8:30 a.m.–2 p.m. Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby and halls Bethel College Women’s Association Market in the Round – baked goods, Bethel items, and crafts by BCWA members and others
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Robert W. Regier Art Gallery Luyken Fine Arts Center “Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner,” exhibit by Virgil Penner ’60
9 a.m.–3 p.m. The Green Booths and activities hosted by Bethel College auxiliaries, sports teams and student clubs and organizations, including: Admissions department Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA) The Bethel Collegian Bethel College Community for Justice and Peace (BCCJP) Art department Athletic Booster Club Environmental Action Club FemCore BC forensics Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) BC golf Kansas Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (KIPCOR) Kauffman Museum KBCU 88.1 FM Nursing department Social work department BC softball Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT) Tabletop Games Club BC tennis Woven and Open Road YAWP!/English department Additional booths hosted by alumni and guests are listed below as they are confirmed. Those hosted by alumni, students and/or current or retired faculty or staff are marked with an asterisk (*). Those donating 10 percent or more of their Fall Festival proceeds to the college are noted with a plus sign (+). Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harvey County Susan Bartel ’74 Art*, watercolor originals and prints+ Camp Mennoscah* Everence Golden Prairie Boutique Harvey County Habitat for Humanity* Raylene Hinz-Penner ’70 book signing* Knits & Knots by Jenna Limestone Floral Longview Advisors* Lynette’s Interiors Moundridge Immigrant House Museum Newton Area Gideons Newton Murals & Arts Project Peace Connections* Virgil Penner ’60 Art*, acrylic paintings Prairy Market & Deli* Schweitzer 150th celebration Wands, Wings & Fairy Things Jocelyn Woodson greeting cards/paintings
Children’s Activities at Fall Fest!Behind the Ad Building Inflatable obstacle course and slide – sponsored by Jerry and Leann Toews BCAPA booth on the Green Dance and music themed coloring sheets BCAPA studios, lower level of Memorial Hall Free Dance Day – free 30-minute Kindermusik and dance classes between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Kindermusik is available for families with infants up to 7 years old and the dance classes will be for children ages 2 and up. Get free tickets here. Harvey County Habitat for Humanity booth Coloring contest with prizes Parents Association booth Temporary “BC” tattoos Enrollment Management booth Admissions Counselor Challenge with prizes and Threshy coloring sheets
9 a.m.–3 p.m. Entertainment on the Prairie Sky Stage Schedule coming soon!
9 a.m.–3 p.m. Thresher Shop Schultz Student Center Thresher Shop will be open during the day and will have a stand at the football game from 6 p.m. through halftime.
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Kauffman Museum 27th & Main View the current special exhibition, “Climate and Energy Central.” The Museum Store and permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture,” “Mirror of the Martyrs,” the Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction and the historic farmstead will be open as well. Museum admission is free Thursday through Sunday.
10 a.m. Will Academic Center atrium Nursing alumni coffee
10 a.m. Will Academic Center 208 History and Conflict Studies alumni reunion
10 a.m. Centennial Plaza Performances by BCAPA students
10 a.m. Thresher Stadium locker room viewing suite Football reunion
10:30 a.m. Kauffman Museum 27th & Main The Teschemacher cabinet organ was part of the same Mennonite family from the time Johannes Deknatel bought it in Prussia in the late 1750s until it was donated to Kauffman Museum. Rosi Penner Kaufman ’85 and Donna Hetrick ’91, both organ teachers at Bethel, will share about the history of this gem and play several pieces.
11 a.m. Joe W. Goering Field, Thresher Stadium Women’s soccer vs. Ottawa University Ticket required; buy tickets online starting Sept. 30.
11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Ad Building chapel Hymnsing – everyone welcome
1 p.m. Centennial Plaza Azteca Dancers
1:30–2:30 p.m. Memorial Hall Milestone Reunion gathering Join your classmates in Mem Hall for an informal gathering of our milestone reunion classes. Alumni in classes “one-up and one-down” are invited, too. (For example, classes of 2007 and 2009 are welcome at the 2008 reunion.) Refreshments served. Class of 2013 (10th) Class of 2008 (15th) Class of 2003 (20th) Class of 1998 (25th) Class of 1993 (30th) Class of 1988 (35th) Class of 1983 (40th) Class of 1978 (45th) Class of 1973 (50th) Class of 1968 (55th) Class of 1963 (60th) Thresher Heritage Class (1962 and prior)
1:30 p.m. Joe W. Goering Field, Thresher Stadium Men’s soccer vs. Ottawa University Ticket required; buy tickets online starting Sept. 30.
2 p.m. Kauffman Museum 27th & Main “Land Trusts Leave a Conservation Legacy” The Kansas Land Trust addresses climate change through habitat restoration, public access to protected areas, and agricultural practices that sequester carbon in regenerative ecosystems. Jerry Jost ’76 is currently the Kansas Land Trust’s conservation director, transitioning from his position as executive director.
2:30 p.m. Ad Building Chapel Alumni organ recital, feat. Dr. Shirley King Eight Bethel organ alumni and Shirley Sprunger King, who was an instructor for many of them, will present this program.
2:30–3:30 p.m. Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby Ticket window open Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest musical, The Addams Family.
3:30 p.m. Krehbiel Auditorium Luyken Fine Arts Center Fall Fest musical: The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice Also at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.
4 p.m. Kauffman Museum 27th & Main “Hidden Connections: The Bethel Bell and Brown vs. Board of Education” The Bethel bell once rang in the only known integrated school in Kansas at the time, Prairie Bell School in Thomas County. Later, the children from rural Thomas County attended school in Oakley, which led to the integration of public schools nationwide through the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown vs. Board of Education. Meanwhile, the bell was passed along from the rural school to the Meadow Mennonite church in Mingo to Bethel College. Come learn more about the bell’s unique journey, and how physical artifacts play significant roles in retelling stories about the past, from Newton attorney Levi Goossen ’59.
5–6:30 p.m.
East of Thresher Stadium parking lot (cafeteria, Schultz Student Center, if rain) Tailgate Cookout – sponsored by the City of North Newton Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available upon request in advance by calling 316-284-5251. Ticket required; buy tickets here.
6 p.m. Joe W. Goering Field & Thresher Sports Complex Fall Fest 2023 football game: Bethel vs. McPherson College 7 p.m. Halftime – Athletic Hall of Fame recognition Ticket required; buy tickets here starting Sept. 30. |
| Sunday, Oct. 15 |
10 a.m. Bethel College Mennonite Church Fall Fest worship service Worship with the Bethel College family. Everyone is invited.
1–2 p.m. Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby Ticket window open Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest musical, The Addams Family.
1 p.m. Thresher National Disc Golf Course 3rd Annual Herman Bubbert Invitational Disc Golf Tournament Register here.
1:30–4:30 p.m. Kauffman Museum open 27th & Main View the current special exhibition, “Climate and Energy Central.” The Museum Store and permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture,” “Mirror of the Martyrs,” the Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction and the historic farmstead will be open as well. Museum admission is free Thursday through Sunday.
2 p.m. Krehbiel Auditorium Luyken Fine Arts Center Fall Fest musical: The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice Also at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. Saturday Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.
2–4 p.m. Robert W. Regier Art Gallery Luyken Fine Arts Center “Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner,” exhibit by Virgil Penner ’60
3 p.m. East of Thresher Stadium parking lot/west of tennis courts Fall Festival Spikeball Tournament Register here. |
Fall Festival 2023 musical: The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice
Inspired by the classic newsprint comic by Charles Addams, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, The Addams Family, since its Broadway debut in 2010, has become a musical lover's favorite. The show manages to celebrate all things “other” and embrace the dark side of life while simultaneously highlighting the overarching importance of love and family. Get your tickets early – you won't want to miss this delightful show!
Three performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13; 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. Adults $12, adults age 65 and older $8, students $4. Kidron Bethel residents pay regular price; admission is not prepaid.
Friday evening performance interpreted for the D/deaf community.
Buy tickets online; at Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center, Mon.-Fri., 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; or at the door starting one hour before each performance and subject to availability.
Sponsors
A thank-you to our Fall Festival and Taste of Newton sponsors
Each year, Bethel appreciates the support of Fall Festival and Taste of Newton sponsors, hosts, performers and exhibitors. Donations from sponsors support the fair on campus and also go toward Bethel’s share of expenses as it cooperates with the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce to put on Taste of Newton. Some exhibitors donate their proceeds. Some entertainers donate their time. Look for signs thanking our donors at the Fall Fest fair on Saturday, and offer an additional thank you to them when you have the opportunity.
Please support these Fall Fest sponsors:
City of North Newton, Everence, Goossen Law Offices, Harvey Drug, Intrust Bank, Living Rooms by Gayle, Longview Advisors, Peoples Bank and Trust, Jerry and Leann Toews
To join our list of Fall Festival 2023 sponsors, contact the Bethel College Alumni Office by calling 316 284-5252 or e-mail alumni@bethelks.edu
Class reunions
Every 5 years, starting with the 10th reunion, classes gather for fellowship and refreshments at Fall Festival.
Members of reunion classes are welcome to fill out a Personal Information Form to be shared with your classmates. Responses will be printed and available in a binder at the reunion for guests to read. An electronic copy will be made available after the reunion – to request one, please e-mail blichti@bethelks.edu
Click here to fill out a Personal Information Form.
Upcoming dates for Fall Festival Saturday on campus are:
- Oct. 19, 2024 (proposed)
The dates are determined by the first home football game in October, as scheduled by the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Whether or not you’re acquainted with Bethel, you’re invited to make yourself at home on our campus, greet old friends and make new ones, sample new foods, listen to new sounds and enjoy Bethel tradition at Fall Festival. For more information, contact the alumni office, which coordinates Fall Festival.