Admissions Visit Days
The Office of Admissions is excited to invite prospective students and families to experience all that Fall Festival has to offer.
The core is our Admissions Visit Days on Friday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 5. We also encourage students to enrich their experience by attending Taste of Newton, the Fall Fest musical 9 to 5, 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 Days on Oct. 4 and 5, contact Missy Green, admissions visit coordinator, mgreen@bethelks.edu or 316 284-5229. Or, sign up for a visit at http://bethelks.edu/visit!
Parking Information
- 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
Longview Advisors is happy to sponsor Fall Festival 2024!
Join us for these great activities leading up to Fall Fest!
Monday, Sept. 30
Bonfire Pep Rally
Northeast of Ward Tennis Center near Sand Creek Community Garden | 6:30 p.m.
New this year! Join Threshy, Bethel cheer and the pep band, with appearances by President Gering, SGA President Matt Fleck, North Newton Mayor Ron Ratzlaff, Newton Area Chamber of Commerce President Sal Lujano and North Newton Police Chief Jim Bethards, to pump up the Threshers for the Fall Festival games, plus make yourself a s’more (ingredients provided).
Wednesday, Oct. 2
Fall Fest Parade
From Thresher Stadium parking lot down Main Street to 24th, East to College Avenue, North the Haury Hall | 6 p.m.
Line up at 5:30 p.m. in the Thresher Stadium parking lot.
Bluestem Communities is happy to sponsor Fall Festival 2024!
Thursday, oct. 3
"SMOL", exhibit by Audra Miller '14
Robert W. Regier Art Gallery, Luyken Fine Arts Center | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kauffman Museum
27th & Main, North Newton | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
View the current special exhibition, “Unlocking the Past: Immigrant Artifacts and the Stories They Tell.”
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.
Walnut Tree Cutting Party
Corner of NE 24th and N. Kansas Ave. | 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Help conserve two adjacent prairie reconstruction projects, started independently by successive Bethel biology professors (Dwight Platt ‘52 and Jon Piper), from the impacts of invading trees. Contact Brad Guhr ‘92 for more information.
Taste of Newton
Downtown Newton | 6-9 p.m.
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!
Entertainment sponsored by Everence with your hosts, Josh Booth ‘16 and Keegan LeFevre.
Broadway & Main, stage
6-6:45 p.m. Bethel College Jazz
6:55-7:15 p.m. Newton Community Children’s Choir
7:20-7:40 p.m. TBD
7:45-8:30 p.m. Newton High School (vocal groups and jazz)
Sixth & Main, on the pavement
6-6:20 p.m. Zumba
6:25-6:45 p.m. BCAPA Dance
6:50-7:10 p.m. Danza Reina del Tepeyac
7:15-7:35 p.m. Dynasty Gymnastics Club
7:40-8 p.m. Ultimate Martial Arts
8:05-8:25 p.m. Newton High School Cheer
Friday, oct. 4
Golden Thresher Class Activities
Please welcome the Class of 1974 as this year’s Golden Thresher class! If you are a member of the Class of ’74, please join us for these special activities (2 tickets per activity; limit one performance of the Fall Fest musical).
Friday, Oct. 4
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! RSVP here.
7:30 p.m. — Fall Fest musical, 9 to 5. Buy tickets starting Sept. 3
Saturday, Oct. 5
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 p.m. — Fall Fest musical, 9 to 5. Buy tickets starting Sept. 3
6 p.m. — Fall Fest football game vs. Tabor College. VIP seating in the Thresher Stadium viewing suite. Gametime snacks will be served. Tickets on sale now.
Sunday, Oct. 6
11 a.m. — Golden Thresher Sunday buffet at The Breadbasket, 219 N. Main in Newton. Buffet available until 2 p.m. Five meats, salad bar, potatoes, vegetables and dessert for $17.49; private dining room reserved for the class. RSVP here.
2 p.m. — Fall Fest musical, 9 to 5. Buy tickets starting Sept. 3
"SMOL", exhibit by Audra Miller '14
Robert W. Regier Art Gallery, Luyken Fine Arts Center | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Kauffman Museum
27th & Main, North Newton | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
View the current special exhibition, “Unlocking the Past: Immigrant Artifacts and the Stories They Tell.”
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.
Thresher Classic Golf Tournament - Sponsored by Intrust Bank
Hesston Golf Course | 1 p.m.
Check-in at 1 p.m. Tee time at 2 p.m. Join other Thresher alumni and friends in a round of golf at the scenic Hesston Golf Course.
Artist Reception - Visit with Audra Miller '14 and view "SMOL"
Robert W. Regier Art Gallery at Luyken Fine Arts Center | 6 – 8 p.m.
Musical information coming soon.
Also at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Ticket Window Open
Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest musical 9 to 5. Also available online.
Booster Club Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet
Memorial Hall Gym | 7 p.m.
Honoring the 2024 Hall of Fame Class inductees: football coach Kent Rogers, and the 1983 KCAC Champion volleyball team . Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets go on sale Sept. 1 for $25.
Fall Fest Musical, 9 to 5
Krehbiel Auditorium at Luyken Fine Arts Center | 7:30 p.m.
Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.
Tickets go on sale, Sept. 3.
Saturday, Oct. 5
Country Breakfast
Kidron Bethel Village | 7 – 10 a.m.
Pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee and orange juice
Cost: by donation. Benefits the Health Care Benevolent Fund, a ministry of Kidron Bethel Village, assisting residents who are unable to cover the full cost of their care.
Fall Fest T-Shirts! Only $15!
Stop by the Marketing/Communications booth to get your Fall Fest T-shirt. Made to order while you wait! Or pre-order down below!
Kauffman Museum monthly bird walk
Kauffman Museum 27th & Main | 8 – 9 a.m.
Local birding experts 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.
Fall Fest Run
Thresher Stadium | 8 a.m.
Hosted by Bethel College Flag Football
$20 for 1-mile fun run/walk and $30 for 5K. Medals will be given in 4 different age categories for both men and women for the 5K. T-shirt guaranteed with pre-registration.
Food on the Green
The Green on Bethel College Campus | Most of the day
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 – Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA)
Barbecue – BC BBQ Club
Beef borscht and zwieback – Available 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bethel College Women’s Association (BCWA)
Brats – BC golf
Burgers, chips, pop, bottled water – BC Alumni Association
Cookies – BC social work
Hot links, sausages – BC African-American Alumni Association
Ice cream – Salted Creamery
Kettle corn – BC cheer
New Year’s cookies, coffee – BCWA
Pie-by-the-slice – BCWA
Verenike – BC Alumni Association
Frosted sugar cookies – Kauffman Museum
Cake pops, cookies – BC-KANS (nursing)
Mi Mama’s Recipes – Tacos and enchiladas
Crust and Crumb Co. – Artisan bread and pastry
Bethel College Women’s Association Market
Luyken Fine Arts Center Lobby and Halls | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Baked goods, Bethel items and crafts by BCWA members and others. Plus, a silent auction featuring items by Bethel College alumni artists!
"SMOL", exhibit by Audra Miller '14
Robert W. Regier Art Gallery, Luyken Fine Arts Center | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Booths on the Green
The Green on Bethel College Campus | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Booths and activities hosted by Bethel College auxiliaries, departments, sports teams and student clubs and organizations, including:
Admissions and Enrollment Management
The Bethel Collegian
Athletic Booster Club
Men’s golf
Women’s golf
Office of Culture and Belonging
KIPCOR
DivCo (Diversity Council)
Forensics
Kauffman Museum
Student Activities Council
Social work
Woven and Open Road
Marketing & Communications
Tabletop Games Club
Track & field and cross country
BC-KANS (Kansas Association of Nursing Students)
Additional booths hosted by alumni and guests are listed below as they are confirmed. Those hosted by alumni and/or current or retired faculty or staff are marked with an asterisk (*).
Newton Area Gideons
Harvey County Habitat for Humanity
Virgil Penner*
Made by Heather Garrison*
Camp Mennoscah*
Peace Connections*
Newton Et Cetera Shop
Everence Financial
Mennonite Central Committee
Children Activities at Fall Fest!
Behind the Ad Building
Inflatable obstacle course, bounce house/slide combo, plus an obstacle course for our future Threshers ages 5 and under! Sponsored by Jerry ‘66 and Leann Toews ‘66
BCAPA booth on the Green
Dance- and music-themed coloring sheets
BCAPA studios, lower level of Memorial Hall
Free 30-minute dance classes between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. for ages 2 and up. Registration link coming soon!
Admissions/Enrollment Management booth
Games, Threshy coloring sheets, photo wall
Kauffman Museum
10 a.m.–4 p.m. Interactive immigrant activities with author Carolyn Zeisset. Scavenger hunt, grain-sorting, and more!
Entertainment on the Prairie Sky Stage
Prairie Sky Stage near Luyken Fine Arts Center | 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Open Road, Woven, Newton High School Jazz, Newton Community Children’s Choir, YAWP! authors/artists, and Bethel College Jazz
9:30am – YAWP!
10:00am – Woven
10:30am – Open Road
11:00am – NCCC
11:30am – NHS Jazz
1:00pm – BC Jazz
Thresher Shop
Schultz Student Center | 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Thresher Shop will be open during the day and will have a stand at the football game from 6 p.m. through halftime.
Kauffman Museum
27th & Main, North Newton | 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
View the current special exhibition, “Unlocking the Past: Immigrant Artifacts and the Stories They Tell.”
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.
Nursing alumni coffee
Will Academic Center atrium| 10 a.m.
History and Conflict Studies alumni reunion
Will Academic Center 208| 10 a.m.
Performances by BCAPA students
Centennial Plaza | 10 a.m.
1984 football team reunion
Thresher Stadium locker room viewing suite | 10 – 11 a.m.
“Organ Music at Home, Wherever that May Be”
Kauffman Museum 27th & Main | 10 a.m.
Organist Roseann Penner Kaufman ‘85 will perform pieces on the museum’s historic cabinet organ, built in 1750 by German master organ builder Teschemacher. Kaufman will play pieces representing the time periods and locations the organ encountered during its move across two continents. Soprano Lois Harder will join Kaufman on a song from the early 20th century.
Hymn sing - everyone welcome
Ad Building chapel | 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Volleyball vs. Southwestern
Thresher Gym | Noon
During the match, we will recognize various individuals, coaches and teams, along with our recent Hall of Fame inductees from the 1983 KCAC Champion volleyball team.
Tickets go on sale Sept. 1
*Volleyball alumni and 1 guest will have free entry with an RSVP to Tim Swartzendruber, tswartzendruber@bethelks.edu
“Galloping Gourmet: The Buffalo Bill Nobody Knows” by Steve Friesen ‘75
Kauffman Museum 27th & Main | 1 p.m.
A hard-riding hunter, frontier scout and showman, at one time Buffalo Bill was one of the best-known men in America. But a gourmet? William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody was as comfortable eating at Delmonico’s in New York City as consuming wild game around a campfire. He dined with kings, queens, princes and presidents as well as men like Thomas Edison, Oscar Wilde and James McNeill Whistler. He was even a food innovator, opening the first Mexican restaurant east of the Mississippi in New York City, introducing popcorn to the European continent, and promoting American cocktails to England. Steve Friesen, author of the new culinary biography Galloping Gourmet: Eating and Drinking with Buffalo Bill, will provide a whole new perspective on this famous American character who even visited Newton a couple of times.
Milestone Reuinion Gathering
Memorial Hall | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
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 2014 (10th) Meeting in the WAC atrium, 1:30-3 p.m.
Class of 2009 (15th)
Class of 2004 (20th)
Class of 1999 (25th)
Class of 1994 (30th)
Class of 1989 (35th)
Class of 1984 (40th)
Class of 1979 (45th)
Class of 1974 (Golden Threshers)
Class of 1969 (55th)
Class of 1964 (60th)
Thresher Heritage Class (1963 and prior)
Azteca Dancers
Centennial Plaza | 2 p.m.
Social Work 50th-anniversary lecture by Sarah Augustine
Kidron Bethel Village Kaye Penner ’62 Education Center | 2 p.m.
Volleyball alumni celebration
Memorial Hall | 2 – 3 p.m.
All women who played volleyball while at Bethel College are invited to attend.
Ticket window open
Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby | 2 – 3 p.m.
Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest musical 9 to 5.
Social Work 50th-anniversary reception
Kidron Bethel Classroom at Kidron Bethel Village | 3 p.m.
Connect with former professors, peers and colleagues, and enjoy social work cookies and the sweetness of seeing friends.
“Alps on the Plains: The Life and Work of Emil Kym” by Steve Friesen ‘75
Kauffman Museum 27th & Main | 3 p.m.
A Swiss immigrant, Emil Kym decorated houses. He could hang wallpaper, do wood graining on doors, and paint a hallway so the walls looked like marble. But what he did best was paint scenes of his home country in Mennonite farmhouses. Some of those scenes, as well as Kym’s woodgraining tools, are on exhibit at Kauffman Museum. Steve Friesen studied Kym’s work for his master’s thesis in 1976 and has begun new research on this folk artist. Friesen’s lecture will include photos of Kym’s paintings as well as new information gathered on a visit to Kym’s hometown in Switzerland.
Fall Fest Musical, 9 to 5
Krehbiel Auditorium at Luyken Fine Arts Center | 3 p.m.
Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.
Also at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday
Tickets go on sale, Sept. 3.
Wellness Center groundbreaking ceremony
North of Ward Tennis Center | 4 p.m.
Come out early to tailgate in the Thresher Stadium parking lot!
Join Booster Club and eat free at the Booster Club Tailgate, starting at 5 pm.
Bethel vs. Tabor Football Game
Joe W. Goering Field & Thresher Sports Complex | 6 p.m.
Fall Fest 2024 football game: Bethel vs. Tabor College
Tickets go on sale Sept. 1.
Visit the Thresher Shop booth inside Thresher Stadium – open until halftime!
Football Halftime
Joe W. Goering Field & Thresher Sports Complex | 7 p.m.
Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024 recognition
1984 KCAC Champion football team recognition
SUNDAY, OCT. 6
4th Annual Herman Bubbert Invitational Disc Golf Tournament
Thresher National Disc Golf Course | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Fall Fest worship service
Bethel College Mennonite Church | 10 a.m.
Worship with the Bethel College family. Everyone is invited.
Ticket window open
Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby | 1 – 2 p.m.
Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest musical 9 to 5.
View the current special exhibition, “1874 Immigration of Mennonites to the Central Great Plains.”
Kauffman Museum 27th & Main | 1:30 – 4:30 p.m.
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.
Fall Fest Musical, 9 to 5
Krehbiel Auditorium at Luyken Fine Arts Center | 2 p.m.
Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.
Also at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday
Tickets go on sale, Sept. 3.
"SMOL", exhibit by Audra Miller '14
Robert W. Regier Art Gallery, Luyken Fine Arts Center | 2 – 4 p.m.
Fall Fest 2024 Musical
Clock in for a super-fun take on woman power in the workplace. This show hit Broadway in 2010, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by screenwriter Patricia Resnick. The musical version of the hit movie looks back at the late ’70s, when male chauvinism was the official language of the American workplace. This show is full of biting humor, female empowerment and a fantastic soundtrack.
Three performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4; 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. Adults $12, adults age 65 and older $10. All students (BC and otherwise) FREE!
Friday evening performance interpreted for the D/deaf community.
Tickets can be bought online or 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, Longview Advisors, Bluestem Communities, Conrade Insurance Group, Harvey Drug, INTRUST Bank, Jerry and Leann Toews, Living Rooms by Gayle
To join our list of Fall Festival 2024 sponsors, contact the Bethel College Alumni Office by calling 316 284-5252 or e-mail alumni@bethelks.edu
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.