The annual Newman Fall Festival Community Meeting began at 6:06 p.m. on March 18 in the Community Meeting Room to a well-attended crowd and online attendees. By the meetings’ adjournment an hour later, the community showed its support by stepping up to fill key roles to the event's success.

Fall Festival Chairman Christine Eddington stated, “Thanks to the incredible support from our community, our first planning meeting was a huge success, and we’re thrilled to announce that the Newman Fall Festival will continue for its 54th year!”

The annual celebration held over Labor Day weekend in Modesto was in jeopardy of coming to an end if the board could not find more community members willing to get involved with the organization of the event.

Among the crowd were volunteers who wanted to bring the basketball tournament back, enhance the entertainment options, pave the way for more craft vendors, and overall increase the enthusiasm for the community to make the event a great one.

Eddington continued, “A special thank you to our newest Executive Committee members, Courtney Ortiz (Vice Chairman) and Marshall Croom (Secretary), for stepping up to help lead the festival forward. We also want to express our gratitude to the countless volunteers who attended the meeting, showed their support, and committed to helping with the many event committees that make this festival possible.”

The next planning meeting is scheduled for April 8 at 6 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room behind the police station. All are encouraged to attend and volunteers and ideas are always welcomed. Questions can be directed to office@newmanfallfestival.org.