Kalona Fall Festival takes place September 29 and 30. Photo by Sally Y. Hart.

The Kalona Fall Festival serves to some attendees as a reunion of friends and family.

Though adults and kids are encouraged to have a good time and enjoy the sounds, sights, and tastes of the annual event, Kalona Historical Village Managing Director Nancy Roth is striving to keep the event educational, “One thing that I am trying to work on, I think it’s going to take a few years is, over the years I think we’ve gotten away from some of the traditional things that we used to do during the festival. So this year I’m trying to bring a few things back.”

This year will see a return of the “dog treadmill” demonstration in which Harvey Yoder will show how in olden times people would have an animal such as a dog or goat walk on a treadmill contraption to generate power for tasks such as doing laundry or churning butter. Local resident Kayla Haupt will be portraying the life of living in a log cabin at the festival. Roth hopes visitors will walk through the new Wahl Museum building that has been erected this year, which the historical village is seeking donations for its planned streetscape exhibit. The Kalona Fall Festival takes place Friday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Kalona Historical Village. Other entertainment includes musical performances, children’s activities, and the eighth annual talent show.