For 50 years, Bethel College has celebrated education, diverse cultural traditions, special foods, fine arts, crafts and friendship at its annual Fall Festival, held each year on an extended weekend in late September or early October. More than 5,000 people come to Newton and the Bethel campus to enjoy an array of activities.

All events and activities take place on the Bethel College campus in North Newton unless otherwise noted. 

Schedule of events

Thursday, Oct. 12

This year, Fall Festival teams up with Cornerstone Day, Bethel College's online giving day.

October 12 marks the establishment of the college -- it's a day to acknowledge and give back to the Bethel College fund, or your favorite designation.

Why was Bethel important in your life and how can you pass that gift on? Pay it forward! https://www.bethelks.edu/gift 

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Robert W. Regier Art Gallery

Luyken Fine Arts Center

“Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner,” exhibit by Virgil Penner ’60

9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Kauffman Museum, 27th & Main

View the current special exhibition, “Climate and Energy Central.”

The Museum Store and permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture,” “Mirror of the Martyrs,” the Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction and the historic farmstead will be open as well.

Museum admission is free Thursday through Sunday.

6–9 p.m.

Downtown Newton

Taste of Newton

Bethel College and the Newton Area Chamber of Commerce partner on this annual event to celebrate the community and to kick off Fall Festival. Churches, clubs, organizations and private vendors host food booths covering three city blocks downtown. Plus, there are two areas for live music and other performances! (Schedule and performers still tentative)

Broadway & Main

6-6:45 pm.   Bethel College Jazz

6:55-7:15 pm   Newton Community Children’s Choir

7:25-7:40 pm  Sound of the Heartland Chorus

7:50-8:30 pm   Newton High School Jazz and NHS Railaires

Sixth & Main, on the pavement

6-6:20 pm     Newton Performing Arts Center

6:25-6:44 pm   BCAPA Dance 

6:50-7:10 pm  Newton TaeKwonDo

7:15-7:35 pm  Newton High School Railiners dance team

7:40-8 pm    To be determined

8:05-8:25 pm   Azteca Dancers

Friday, Oct. 13

Admissions Visit Day

9 a.m.–5 p.m

Robert W. Regier Art Gallery

Luyken Fine Arts Center

“Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner,” exhibit by Virgil Penner ’60

9:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Kauffman Museum

27th & Main

View the current special exhibition, “Climate and Energy Central.”

The Museum Store and permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture,” “Mirror of the Martyrs,” the Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction and the historic farmstead will be open as well.

Museum admission is free Thursday through Sunday.

Noon

Hesston Public Golf Course

Thresher Classic Golf Tournament

Check-in and lunch at noon; tee time at 1 p.m. Join other Thresher alumni and friends in a round of golf at the scenic Hesston Golf Course.

Registration details coming soon!

5–6 p.m.

Mantz Library Lounge

Golden Thresher reception

6–8 p.m.

Robert W. Regier Art Gallery

Luyken Fine Arts Center

Artist reception – Visit with Virgil Penner ’60 and view “Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner.”

6:30–7:30 p.m.

Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby

Ticket window open

Purchase tickets for the Fall Festival musical, The Addams Family.

7 p.m.

Location to be determined

Athletic Booster Club and Hall of Fame Banquet

Ticket required

7:30 p.m.

Krehbiel Auditorium

Luyken Fine Arts Center

Fall Fest musical: The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice

Also at 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.

Ticket required

Saturday, Oct. 14

7-10 a.m.

Kidron Bethel Village, Kidron Hall

3001 Ivy Drive

Country Breakfasts during Fall Fest

Pancakes, sausage, eggs, coffee and orange juice; by donation, to benefit the Health Care Benevolent Fund, a ministry of Kidron Bethel Village to assist residents unable to cover the full cost of their care.

8-9 a.m.

Kauffman Museum

27th & Main

Kauffman Museum monthly bird walk

A local birding expert will lead a one-hour, 1.5-mile walk along Bethel’s Sand Creek Trail looking and listening for birds. Trail terrain is uneven. No cost. Binoculars recommended but not required.

Food on the Green

Fall Fest means fun, fellowship and food on the Green. Some booths start serving at 8 a.m., so get here early!

Look for the following options and hosts during the day:

Beef borscht and zwieback – Bethel College Women’s Association (BCWA)

Brats – Bethel College golf

Breakfast burritos, pulled pork sandwiches – Bethel College softball

Burgers, chips, pop, bottled water – Bethel College Alumni Association

Cinnamon rolls, coffee, hot chocolate – Bethel College Parents Association

Cookies – Bethel College Social Work

Hot links, sausages – Bethel College African-American Alumni Association

Ice cream – Salted Creamery

Kettlecorn – Kettle Ventures

Nachos – BCAPA

New Year’s cookies, coffee – BCWA

Pie-by-the-slice – BCWA

Verenike – Bethel College Alumni Association

8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby and halls

Bethel College Women’s Association Market in the Round – baked goods, Bethel items, and crafts by BCWA members and others

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Robert W. Regier Art Gallery

Luyken Fine Arts Center

“Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner,” exhibit by Virgil Penner ’60

9 a.m.–3 p.m.

The Green

Booths and activities hosted by Bethel College auxiliaries, sports teams and student clubs and organizations, including:

Admissions department

Athletic Booster Club

Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts (BCAPA)

Kauffman Museum

KBCU 88.1 FM

Nursing department

Bethel College Social Work

Woven and Open Road

Bethel College Tennis

Additional booths hosted by alumni and guests are listed below as they are confirmed. Those hosted by alumni, students and/or current or retired faculty or staff are marked with an asterisk (*). Those donating 10 percent or more of their Fall Festival proceeds to the college are noted with a plus sign (+).

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Harvey County

Susan Bartel ’74 Art*, watercolor originals and prints+

Virgil Penner ’60 Art*, acrylic paintings

Knits & Knots by Jenna

Lynette’s Interiors

Wands, Wings & Fairy Things

Look for children’s activities around the Green!

9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Entertainment on the Prairie Sky Stage 

9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Thresher Shop

Schultz Student Center

Thresher Shop will be open during the day and will have a stand at the football game from 6 p.m. through halftime.

9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Kauffman Museum

27th & Main

View the current special exhibition, “Climate and Energy Central.”

The Museum Store and permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture,” “Mirror of the Martyrs,” the Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction and the historic farmstead will be open as well.

Museum admission is free Thursday through Sunday.

10 a.m.

Will Academic Center atrium

Nursing alumni coffee

10 a.m.

Will Academic Center 208

History and Conflict Studies alumni reunion

10 a.m.

Centennial Plaza

Performances by BCAPA students

10:30 a.m.

Kauffman Museum

27th & Main

Organ concert

The Teschemacher cabinet organ was part of the same Mennonite family from the time it was purchased by Johannes Deknatel in the late 1750s until it was donated to Kauffman Museum. Rosi Penner Kaufman ’85 and Donna Hetrick ’91, both organ teachers at Bethel, will share about the history of this gem and play music for “The Organ at Home.”

11 a.m.

Joe W. Goering Field, Thresher Stadium

Women's soccer vs. Ottawa University

11:30 a.m.-12:15 p.m.

Ad Building chapel

Hymnsing – everyone welcome

1 p.m.

Centennial Plaza

Azteca Dancers

1:30–2:30 p.m.

Memorial Hall

Milestone Reunion gathering

Join your classmates in Mem Hall for an informal gathering of our milestone reunion classes. Alumni in classes “one-up and one-down” are invited, too. (For example, classes of 2007 and 2009 are welcome at the 2008 reunion.) Refreshments served.

Class of 2013 (10th)

Class of 2008 (15th)

Class of 2003 (20th)

Class of 1998 (25th)

Class of 1993 (30th)

Class of 1988 (35th)

Class of 1983 (40th)

Class of 1978 (45th)

Class of 1973 (50th)

Class of 1968 (55th)

Class of 1963 (60th)

Thresher Heritage Class (1962 and prior)

1:30 p.m.

Joe W. Goering Field, Thresher Stadium

Men's soccer vs. Ottawa University

2 p.m.

Kauffman Museum

27th & Main

Jerry Jost ’76, conservation director, Kansas Land Trust

The Kansas Land Trust addresses climate change through habitat restoration, public access to protected areas, and agricultural practices that sequester carbon in regenerative ecosystems. Jerry Jost, transitioning from his position as executive director, will present “Land Trusts Leave a Conservation Legacy.”

2:30 p.m.

Ad Building

Chapel

Alumni organ recital

2:30–3:30 p.m.

Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby

Ticket window open

Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest musical, The Addams Family.

3:30 p.m.

Krehbiel Auditorium

Luyken Fine Arts Center

Fall Fest musical: The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice

Also at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Sunday

Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.

Ticket required.

5–6:30 p.m.

East of Thresher Stadium parking lot (cafeteria, Schultz Student Center, if rain)

Tailgate Cookout – sponsored by the City of North Newton

Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available upon request in advance by calling 316-284-5251.

Ticket required

6 p.m.

Joe W. Goering Field & Thresher Sports Complex

Fall Fest 2023 football game: Bethel vs. McPherson

7 p.m. 

Halftime – Athletic Hall of Fame recognition

Game tickets

Sunday, Oct. 15

10 a.m.

Bethel College Mennonite Church

Fall Fest worship service

Worship with the Bethel College family. Everyone is invited.

1–2 p.m.

Luyken Fine Arts Center lobby

Ticket window open

Purchase tickets for the Fall Fest musical, The Addams Family.

1 p.m.

Thresher National Disc Golf Course

3rd Annual Herman Bubbert Invitational Disc Golf Tournament

Registration details coming soon!

1:30–4:30 p.m.

Kauffman Museum open

27th & Main

View the current special exhibition, “Climate and Energy Central.”

The Museum Store and permanent exhibits “Of Land and People,” “Mennonite Immigrant Furniture,” “Mirror of the Martyrs,” the Tallgrass Prairie Reconstruction and the historic farmstead will be open as well.

Museum admission is free Thursday through Sunday.

2 p.m.

Krehbiel Auditorium

Luyken Fine Arts Center

Fall Fest musical: The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice

Also at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 3:30 p.m. Saturday

Join the cast and crew for a meet-and-greet immediately after the performance.

Ticket required

2–4 p.m.

Robert W. Regier Art Gallery

Luyken Fine Arts Center

“Bold Color: Acrylic Paintings by Virgil Penner,” exhibit by Virgil Penner ’60

Fall Festival 2023 musical: The Addams Family by Andrew Lippa, Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice

Inspired by the classic newsprint comic by Charles Addams, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, The Addams Family, since its Broadway debut in 2010, has become a musical lover's favorite. The show manages to celebrate all things “other” and embrace the dark side of life while simultaneously highlighting the overarching importance of love and family. Get your tickets early – you won't want to miss this delightful show!

Three performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13; 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15. Adults $10, non-Bethel students and adults ages 65 and older $8, children (ages 3-12) $7. Bethel students $2 Friday and Saturday, free Sunday. Kidron Bethel residents pay regular price; admission is not prepaid.

Ticket required

Admissions Visit Day

The Office of Admissions is excited to invite prospective students and families to experience all that Fall Festival has to offer. The core is still our Admissions Visit Day on Friday, Oct. 13. We also encourage students to enrich their experience by attending Taste of Newton, the Fall Festival musical, Fall Fest Saturday, the football game and more. We look forward to connecting with alumni and legacy families in addition to the many prospective families who will join in Fall Festival for the first time. If you’d like more information about Admissions Visit Day on Oct. 13, contact Missy Green, admissions visit coordinator, [email protected]  or 316 284-5229. Or, sign up for a visit at http://bethelks.edu/visit!

Date: October 12 - 15, 2023

Location:  Bethel College campus in North Newton

North Newton, KS

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