Jamison Lamp

The cool weather proves fall is in the air, and the Downtown Brookings’ Harvest Festival will kick-off the season. Events will be held Sept. 13 from 8 to 12 p.m. at the City Plaza parking lot on Third Avenue and Sixth Street.

The annual event for community members is undergoing some minor changes this year due to the downtown streetscape project, said Sarah French, Program Manager for Downtown Brookings, Inc.

“It’s different this year; the Harvest Festival is going to be held as part of the Farmers’ Market in the City Plaza,” she said. “It will be much smaller scale.”

Although the event will be smaller, there will still be things for students and community members to participate in.

“There will be the Farmers’ Market, a Dutch oven class, pumpkin painting and a performance by Sonic Screwdriver,” French said.

Among the booths and vendors at the event will be local fraternity, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE).

“Our booth is usually a game of sorts for kids to come to and win prizes such as smaller toys, candy and the like,” Recruitment Chair Alec Vanhove, a Brandon native and music merchandising major said.

Vanhove added that SAE has been involved in the Harvest Festival for the two years he has been a member.

Participation, Vanhove believes, is important.

“It helps the kids have fun, it is fun for us and it helps to lessen the stereotypes about fraternities and Greek organizations in general,” he said.

Although many would see the construction as a detriment, Vanhove sees it as opportunity.

“More people might even come to get a glimpse of the progress of the downtown construction,” he said.

Vanhove also said that SAE plans to participate in the future as well.

Other organizations on campus or throughout the community will always have a chance to get involved.

“If they (organizations) are interested in having a booth, they can call the Downtown Brookings, Inc. office at 692-1554 or send an e-mail to [email protected],” French said.