FORT LARAMIE – This weekend, the Fort Laramie Country Church, held its first annual Community Harvest Festival at the Fort Laramie Community Center. They accepted baked good donations for their fundraiser in which all proceeds benefited the Fort Laramie Volunteer Fire Department. 

The attendees of Fort Laramie Country Church helped Gale Lundberg and pastor R.J. Hesketh organize this event. Lundberg said she thinks there was probably around eight helpers. According to Lundberg, it only took them about a month to put the festival together.

The pair spent about four evenings deciding what it was they wanted to do. They have always wanted to have a harvest party, so they set it into action this year. They plan to have one every year after this. They are hoping next year’s will be a little bit earlier in the year. 

Both Lundberg and Hesketh wanted to do something to get involved with the community and really get know the community members. Another important thing they wanted to incorporate was a fundraiser. The Fort Laramie Volunteer Fire Department was a great choice. 

It was mostly just a party for the kids, but they had plenty of enjoyable things for the adults as well. The event had hamburgers and a drink (along with condiments, chips, cheese, etc.), pony rides, and a ton of baked goods up for grabs. 

Lundberg said their main focus was they really just wanted to get the community out to have a good time. They wanted to meet and speak with everyone in the area and just honor the fire department a little while they’re at it. They were able to feed somewhere between 50 and 75 people.

Another thing Lundberg wanted to share is how they also have an upcoming Thanksgiving dinner. This year will be their fourth year putting on these dinners. They do it the day of, also at the community center. Last year, she thought they had about 130 people attend. Lundberg said they would just like to help everyone they can.