Area locals celebrated the annual Harvest Fest/Gaineswood Day this past weekend. This event was held simultaneously with &8216;Be Ready Marengo,&8217; an event to enhance the preparedness of the county for

time of emergency or disaster.

Both events were organized in an effort to conjoin the community, one for celebration of a season and heritage, the other to educate and alert.

Harvest Fest/Gaineswood Day was celebrated in its annual style with pumpkin decorating contests, which was enjoyed by participants and contest observers. The event hosted a pumpkin seed-spitting contest along with a best preserve contest. Gaineswood Day festivities included tours of the mansion and a celebration of the Whitfield family. &8216;Be Ready Marengo&8217; was a combined county effort presented by volunteers throughout the community.

Traditional celebrations such as Harvest Fest are the backbone of a community and should be celebrated in style. Uniting a community begins with events like Harvest Fest, Gaineswood Day and &8216;Be Ready Marengo.&8217; Because of the hard work of volunteers and event planners the community was given the opportunity to enjoy these times with one another.