By Kerri Rempp, Discover Northwest Nebraska Director

Two events traditionally held in separate counties are merging in 2020 and making Chadron their new home. The Harvest Moon Fall Festival, an annual event in Hemingford, plans to relocate this fall as the event continues to grow and will merge with Chadron’s annual Harvest Fest into one larger event.

“There’s a lot of excitement for us going to Chadron,” said Harvest Moon Festival organizer Julie Lawrence. She began the event eight years ago with a friend as a day-long craft show with other events and contests to create a family friendly atmosphere. The Harvest Moon Fall Festival has become a staple fall event, drawing around 3,000 attendees, Lawrence said.

With the potential for additional growth and challenges presented by weather, Lawrence and the other organizers began to scout new locations to accommodate the growth and provide additional options in less than ideal weather.

“Dawes County graciously opened their arms,” Lawrence said.

With a second harvest-themed event arriving, the Chadron Chamber of Commerce decided to join forces with Harvest Moon rather than hosting its annual Harvest Fest. Details of exactly how the two events will merge are still being determined, said Chamber Director Gabby Michna.

The relocation to Chadron and combining forces with the Chamber’s event opens up new opportunities for Harvest Moon, Lawrence said, noting that she hopes to include the college and the National Guard in the event.

Harvest Moon serves as a fundraising event for local non-profits, with various organizations operating booths and keeping their profits. The Chadron Washington, D.C. Kids, for example, has already signed up as a vendor to sell meaty nachos to raise funds for their trip. Lawrence also encourages local school musical groups and dance groups to perform as a way to make connections with the wider community.

The Harvest Moon Fall Festival is a family-focused event, with a pumpkin decorating booth, a Farmer’s Market, a kids’ costume contest, a chili contest, live entertainment, goat roping and more. Vendors from South Dakota, Colorado, Wyoming and eastern Nebraska typically take part, and Lawrence hopes the move to Chadron will expand that reach. Admission is free, and a beer garden hosted by the Dawes County Ag Society will screen the Husker game and serve as the spot for the beer and wine contest.

“It’s always been a good event,” Lawrence said. “It’s refreshing to see the excitement.”

The Harvest Moon Fall Festival is scheduled for Oct. 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Dawes County Fairgrounds. Non-profits and other vendors interested in participating can email Lawrence at lawrenceadventures@yahoo.com or visit harvestmoonfallfestival.com and fill out the contact form.