MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HAVEN, Kan. — The Haven Fall Festival returns this weekend with three days of activities, including live music, a parade, contests, tournaments, food, fireworks and community gatherings.
The 2026 festival begins Friday, Oct. 9, with the Haven High Alumni Reception at 5:30 p.m. at Haven High School. Friday Night Kick Off follows from 8 to 11 p.m. at Daisy Jo’s, featuring the Lley Brown Band.
Saturday, Oct. 10, features a full day of events beginning with the Booster Club Breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Senior Center. The Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Main Stage, followed by judging.
Other morning activities include a pickleball tournament, craft vendors, a military reserves rock wall and the Patriotic Pet Costume Parade. A petting zoo, food vendors, inflatables and face painting will also be available during the day.
One of the festival’s biggest events, the parade, begins at 1 p.m. following a noon check-in at Kansas and Industrial. Veteran grand marshals will lead the parade. A reenactment of the Declaration of Independence is scheduled following the parade.
Saturday afternoon activities include an arm wrestling tournament, axe throwing, kids games, a hay dig and cornhole tournament. Haven High School cheerleaders, the Haven High School band and the Wildcat Singers will perform at 3:30 p.m.
“Haven’s Got Talent” runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Main Stage. The HCU Hamburger Cookout begins at 6 p.m., with hamburgers free for those with a festival button. DJ entertainment runs from 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Saturday concludes with the Rainbow Fireworks Display at 9:30 p.m. near West Main and North Reno.
The festival continues Sunday, Oct. 11, with an all-city volunteer cleanup at 8:30 a.m., followed by an all-city church service and lunch at 10:30 a.m. at Haven Baptist Church.
The fourth annual Fall Golf Hamburger Feed and Scramble begins at noon at the Haven Golf Course, while the first annual Haven Fall Fest Softball Game is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Festival buttons are $5 and are required for some activities. Kids wristbands, also $5, are required for several children's activities.