Fall Fest 2025
October 2 – 5!
All events and activities take place on the Bethel College campus in North Newton unless otherwise noted.
Check out our Fall Festival 2025 event on Facebook at Bethel College Kansas Alumni Association or follow us on X: @ThresherAlumni
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. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4. We also encourage students to enrich their experience by attending Taste of Newton, the Fall Fest theater production, 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. 3 and 4, contact Missy Green, admissions visit coordinator, mgreen@bethelks.edu or 316 284-5229. Or, sign up for a 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
Join us for these great activities leading up to Fall Fest!
Wednesday, Oct. 1
Fall Fest Parade
Lineup in Thresher Stadium parking lot | 5:30 p.m.
Starting at 6 p.m., the parade travels from the Thresher Stadium parking lot south on Main Street to 24th, east to College Avenue and north to Haury Hall.
Thursday, oct. 2
“Made for you by a professional seamstress”
– Karen Reimer ‘82
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.
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.
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! (All performances subject to change without notice)
Broadway & Main, stage
6 – 6:45 p.m. — TBD
6:55 – 7:20 p.m. — TBD
7:30 – 8:30 p.m. — Newton High School
- Drumline
- Railaires
- Jazz Ensemble 1
Sixth & Main, on the pavement
6-6:20 p.m. — Newton Tae Kwon Do
6:25 – 6:45 p.m. — BCAPA Dance
6:50 – 7:10 p.m. — Newton High School Railiners
7:15 – 7:35 p.m. — TBD
7:40 – 8 p.m. — Newton Performing Arts Center
8:05 – 8:25 p.m. — TBD
Friday, oct. 3
Golden Thresher Class Activities
Please welcome the Class of 1975 as this year’s Golden Thresher class! If you are a member of the Class of ’75, please join us for these special activities (2 tickets per activity; limit one performance of the Fall Fest production).
Friday, Oct. 3
5:00 – 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!
7:30 p.m. — Fall Fest production. Ticket link coming soon.
Saturday, Oct. 4
1:00 – 2:00 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.
3:00 p.m. — Fall Fest production. Ticket link coming soon.
6:00 p.m. — Fall Fest football game vs. Sterling College. VIP seating in the Thresher Stadium viewing suite. Gametime snacks will be served. Tickets go on sale September 1st.
Sunday, Oct. 5
Hog roast – time and location to be determined.
2:00 p.m. — Fall Fest production. Ticket link coming soon.
“Made for you by a professional seamstress”
– Karen Reimer ‘82
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.
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
Hesston Golf Course | 2 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 Karen Reimer ’82
Robert W. Regier Art Gallery at Luyken Fine Arts Center | 6 – 8 p.m.
Ticket Window Open
Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest production.
Ticket link coming soon!
Booster Club Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet
Memorial Hall | 7 p.m.
Honoring the 2025 Hall of Fame Class inductees: Virgil Penner ’60, Juan Aguirre ’98, and Dale Russell ’76.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets go on sale Sept. 1!
Fall Fest Production
Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center | 7:30 p.m.
Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.
Also at 3 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
Ticket link coming soon!
Saturday, Oct. 4
Country Breakfast
Kidron Bethel Village | 7 – 10 a.m.
3001 Ivy Drive, North Newton, Kidron Hall
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.
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 Fun Run
Thresher Stadium | 8 a.m.
Hosted by Bethel College Flag Football
Food on the Green
The Green | 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!
Vendor list coming soon!
Bethel College Women’s Association Market in the Round
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.
“Made for you by a professional seamstress”
– Karen Reimer ‘82
Robert W. Regier Art Gallery, Luyken Fine Arts Center | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Booths on the Green
The Green | 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Booths and activities hosted by Bethel College auxiliaries, departments, sports teams and student clubs and organizations.
Booth list coming soon!
Entertainment on the Prairie Sky Stage
Prairie Sky Stage near Luyken Fine Arts Center | 9 a.m.– 2 p.m.
Open Road, Woven, Newton High School Jazz, Newton Community Children’s Choir, YAWP! authors/artists, and Bethel College Jazz
Schedule coming soon!
Thresher Shop
Schultz Student Center | 9 a.m. – 3 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 a.m. – 5 p.m.
View the current special exhibition.
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.
Performances by BCAPA students
Centennial Plaza | 10 a.m.
1975 Football Team Reunion
Thresher Stadium locker room viewing suite | 10 – 11 a.m.
Kauffman Museum Organ Recital
Kauffman Museum, 27th & Main | 10 a.m.
Enjoy pieces performed on the museum’s historic cabinet organ, built in 1750 by German master organ builder Teschemacher.
Milestone Reunion gatherings
Memorial Hall | 1 – 2 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 2004 and 2006 are welcome at the 2005 reunion.)
Refreshments will be served.
- Class of 2015 (10th)
- Class of 2010 (15th)
- Class of 2005 (20th)
- Class of 2000 (25th)
- Class of 1995 (30th)
- Class of 1990 (35th)
- Class of 1985 (40th)
- Class of 1980 (45th)
- Class of 1975 (Golden Threshers)
- Class of 1970 (55th)
- Class of 1965 (60th)
- Thresher Heritage Class (1963 and prior)
Ticket Window Open
Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby | 2 – 3 p.m.
Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest production.
Ticket Link coming soon!
Fall Fest Production
Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center | 3 p.m.
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.
Ticket link coming soon!
Wellness Center Ribbon Cutting
North of Ward Tennis Center | 4 p.m.
We’ll be cutting the ceremonial ribbon on the new Wellness Center!
Bethel vs. Sterling College
Joe W. Goering Field & Thresher Sports Complex | 6 p.m.
Fall Fest 2025 football game: Bethel vs. Sterling 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 2025 recognition
SUNDAY, OCT. 5
Fall Fest worship service
Bethel College Mennonite Church | 10 a.m.
Worship with the Bethel College family. Everyone is invited.
Livestream link will be posted before the event.
Ticket Window Open
Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby | 1 – 2 p.m.
Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest production.
Ticket link coming soon!
Kauffman Museum
27th & Main, North Newton | 1:30-4:30 p.m.
View the current special exhibition.
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 Production
Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center | 2 p.m.
Also at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3 p.m. Saturday.
Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.
Ticket link coming soon!
“Made for you by a professional seamstress”
– Karen Reimer ‘82
Robert W. Regier Art Gallery, Luyken Fine Arts Center | 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Fall Fest 2025 Production
Performance dates and times:
- Friday, October 3 @ 7:30 p.m. *
- Saturday, October 4 @ 3 p.m.
- Sunday, October 5 @ 2 p.m.
Tickets:
- 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 purchased online; at the Thresher Shop in Schultz Student Center, Mon.–Fri., 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; or at the door starting one hour before each performance (subject to availability).
SPONSORS
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.
Sponsors list coming soon!
To join our list of Fall Festival 2025 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.