1 • Wednesday, August 29, 2018 - The Scoop Today/Shopper’s Guide
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WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 29, 2018
Bigger and better Warren Pumpkin Festival moves to Jo Daviess County Fairgrounds By John Day
CORRESPONDENT
The pumpkin takes its name from the Greek word Pepon which means large melon. The pumpkin is the cultivar of the squash plant and it has become a symbol of the autumn harvest and Halloween as well, here in America. Across the United States autumn brings about the time-honored traditions of harvest festivals that date back to ancient times. In many towns, large or small, the harvest celebrations have been given the name, Pumpkin Festival, in honor of the large, round orange melon. One of the best Pumpkin Festivals is right here in Warren. The Warren event has been a tradition for years. During the three days of festivities thousands of people, area residents and tourists, come to the town that is on the old Stage Coach Trail. This year the event will be held at the Jo Daviess County Fairgrounds located on High Road in Warren where on Sept. 21, 22, and 23, as many 40 vendors will be offering art, crafts, and foods in the Exhibition Building. Among the many favorites returning from years past will be corn dogs, cheese curds and donuts. The Lions Club will be offering their pork chop dinner on Sunday afternoon. A perennial favorite returning
this year is the stew made by Robert and Marsha Ernst. The Ernsts’ Famous Mulligan Stew will be available once again. Roland Haye made Mulligan Stew for Warren’s annual Pumpkin Festival for eighteen years. It all started simple enough; a relative’s wedding resulted in a request for something unusual to serve a large crowd at the reception, and Haye stepped up to the plate with a great stew recipe The family and friends at the wedding loved the stew. They told Haye that he should make it for the upcoming fall festival held annually in Warren. When he sold over five hundred bowls the first day, he knew he was on to something, and the rest is Warren history. Every year Haye put together his secret recipe, and stood out on the street during Pumpkin Fest weekend in Warren selling his stew. Eventually, age began to catch up with the stew master, and when he ran a classified ad looking for a replacement, Rob and Marsha Ernst applied for and took the position. Today, they prepare the traditional stew, and folks come to Pumpkin Fest to taste their specialty. “We were not sure how it would all turn out,” said Rob. “We just called Roland. He told us he would
Apple Canyon Lake Ice Cream Social & Craft Fair Artisans and crafters are invited to the heart of Jo Daviess County for the 40th Annual Ice Cream Social & Arts and Craft Fair at Apple Canyon Lake on Sunday, Sept. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Apple Canyon Lake Clubhouse, 14A157 Canyon Club Drive, Apple River, IL. The Apple Canyon Lake Ice Cream Social and Craft Fair has been an annual tradition for decades and Association members, and the public alike, look forward to this event each
year which features barbecue, grilled all-beef hot dogs, chips, a large selection of delicious pies and desserts, and ice cream. Booth space is available indoors and out. The craft fair and ice cream social goes on rain or shine. Your free-standing canopy is welcome provided there are no stakes. For more information, call 815492-2769 or download a crafter’s registration form at http://applecanyonlake.org/programs/events/ics/
help us with the stew for the first three years, and if we were comfortable, we could take it over.” The Ernsts modestly served stew for twelve years before adding the word Famous to his Mulligan Stew banner. Ernst said, “I’ve been serving my stew at the Pumpkin Festival for 29 years now. Every year the festival seems to get better with an even larger turnout. I like to think my stew is special. I start out with sixty-five pounds of chuck roast and one hundred fifty pounds of potatoes. Corn, onions, celery, carrots and stewed tomatoes go into the mix as well. I have a few secrets that make it as good as it is.” The Ernsts say they try to improve their stew a little every year. “It is a lot of work, but it is fun to see folks that we haven’t seen since last year,” Marsha said. On Saturday, Sept. 22, there will be an ATV/Garden tractor pull. Saturday will also feature the Pumpkin Smash Derby. The Derby is an automobile race on an oval track. During the race, as drivers jockey for position, a bit of shoving and bumping with cars is permitted. Later, on the same track there will be a School Bus Enduro. The Enduro is a demolition derby for school buses that demands considerable skill and courage. On Sunday, Sept. 23, there will be an antique tractor pull. As in years past, there will be a parade, a carnival as well as a beer tent and an auction. Live entertainment will be provided by different bands. Entry to the festival and parking are free. There is a minimal charge for Grand Stand seating for the entertainment and some of the events. While in Warren for the Pumpkin
Register at LCPD
609 S. Schuyler St. • Lena, IL 61048 Tel: 815-369-5351 lenapark@aeroinc.net
Festival visitors may wish to meander through the downtown area of Warren and stop in any of the village’s businesses. Warren is located on Illinois Route
78 approximately 13 miles north of U.S. Route 20. For more information contact the Warren Chamber of Commerce through its Facebook page.
TONY CARTON PHOTO The Scoop Today
Apple River Sesquicentennial celebration
Abigail and Jasmine Byrne bring the egg toss competition segment of the Apple River Sesquicentennial Kids Games to an art form.
Fall Festival 5K Run/Walk Sat., Sept. 8, 2018 Race starts at 8:30 a.m. at Lions Park Registration is at 7:30 a.m. 321929
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