Fall Festival & Fire Station History by Jodie Schlatter
The third weekend of September has proven to be a special time for Francesville. This year even more so, as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Francesville Fall Festival. But what makes it even more important this year, is why the first festival began in 1967. The whole purpose of that two-day festival back in September 1967, was to celebrate the dedication of the town’s first fire station. Consideration of a fire station and municipal building began in the 1950’s. Bids for construction costs exceeded the amount that would be raised by a bond issue, so the project was put on hold. In 1961, a Francesville Community Improvement Foundation solicited businesses and citizens for donations. In the fall of 1963 construction began and the result was a 56 by 72 foot building that housed six fire fighting equipment and an office for the town board, fire chief, restrooms, a jail, kitchen and storage space. This was completed in 1967 and used no tax money!
The “Roving Reporter” in the Francesville Tribune back in 1967 stated, “Well, the Francesville Fall Festival was a huge success. Since this was our first venture in the undertaking, we learned many things. Many mistakes were made and these will be corrected next year---so we should be on our way to a great undertaking. And, since we had the finest parade ever seen in Pulaski county---next year should really be a memorable year.”
How proud the folks of 50 years ago can be of our town. Our fire station is even bigger now, with an added rear addition and the Francesville Fall Festival is going stronger than ever. The first festival started at noon on Friday with free kiddie rides, food stands, games, cake walks throughout the afternoon and a fish fry in the fire station early evening. The festival featured a large parade on Saturday that began at 4 p.m. It started in the town park and headed south to the First Christian Church. A chicken dinner was served on Saturday from 5:00- 7:30 followed by the dedication ceremony of the fire station. Many of the events that happened 50 years ago have become tradition for us now, like the fish fry on Friday, the chicken dinner on Saturday, as well as the big parade on Saturday. Several decades ago the festival expanded to 3 days, adding a pork chop dinner for Sunday lunch. Rides, booths, food stands, free entertainment and of course the parade still highlight the festival. In recent years a large firework display, compliments of FRATCO, became the evening highlight at 9 p.m. on Saturday night.
Not only was 1967 the year the fire station and fall festival began, but it also marked the last year for a graduating class of the Francesville High School. Vietnam was in full force back in 1967. It is important to remember the past and appreciate the efforts of those who went before us. The Moving Wall, a half size replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C. will be on display all weekend in the grassy lot one block north of Montgomery Street. This year’s festival is dedicated to our firemen and those who fought in the Vietnam War. The firemen, veterans and members of the last Zebra graduating class will be the grand marshals of this year’s parade. There will be free entertainment all weekend long along with a car show in the park on Sunday afternoon. Pick up a brochure at local businesses to make sure you don’t miss out on what is available during this 3 day celebration of the “small town with a big heart!”
The “Roving Reporter” in the Francesville Tribune back in 1967 stated, “Well, the Francesville Fall Festival was a huge success. Since this was our first venture in the undertaking, we learned many things. Many mistakes were made and these will be corrected next year---so we should be on our way to a great undertaking. And, since we had the finest parade ever seen in Pulaski county---next year should really be a memorable year.”
How proud the folks of 50 years ago can be of our town. Our fire station is even bigger now, with an added rear addition and the Francesville Fall Festival is going stronger than ever. The first festival started at noon on Friday with free kiddie rides, food stands, games, cake walks throughout the afternoon and a fish fry in the fire station early evening. The festival featured a large parade on Saturday that began at 4 p.m. It started in the town park and headed south to the First Christian Church. A chicken dinner was served on Saturday from 5:00- 7:30 followed by the dedication ceremony of the fire station. Many of the events that happened 50 years ago have become tradition for us now, like the fish fry on Friday, the chicken dinner on Saturday, as well as the big parade on Saturday. Several decades ago the festival expanded to 3 days, adding a pork chop dinner for Sunday lunch. Rides, booths, food stands, free entertainment and of course the parade still highlight the festival. In recent years a large firework display, compliments of FRATCO, became the evening highlight at 9 p.m. on Saturday night.
Not only was 1967 the year the fire station and fall festival began, but it also marked the last year for a graduating class of the Francesville High School. Vietnam was in full force back in 1967. It is important to remember the past and appreciate the efforts of those who went before us. The Moving Wall, a half size replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C. will be on display all weekend in the grassy lot one block north of Montgomery Street. This year’s festival is dedicated to our firemen and those who fought in the Vietnam War. The firemen, veterans and members of the last Zebra graduating class will be the grand marshals of this year’s parade. There will be free entertainment all weekend long along with a car show in the park on Sunday afternoon. Pick up a brochure at local businesses to make sure you don’t miss out on what is available during this 3 day celebration of the “small town with a big heart!”