Faith Ranch draws 200 to Harvest Festival in Jewett

Faith Ranch in Jewett celebrated its annual Harvest Festival Sept. 13 with a day filled with family fun. The Christian conference center, camp and stables welcomed visitors with activities, food and vendors.

Director Cindy Smith said more than 30 vendors took part, selling everything from handmade soaps and wooden toys to chocolate-covered bonbons and ice cream nachos. Vendors set up both in the yard and in the Glory Barn, with parking assistance that included a shuttle to and from vehicles. Children enjoyed free pony rides, a petting zoo, a foam party and games.

“We try to have a variety of sizes [for pony rides],” Smith said. “We actually have some adults that ask if they can do a pony ride.”

More than 200 people attended the event.

“It was wonderful,” Smith said. “We got some really good feedback from families, got some emails thanking us, and vendors saying it was a wonderful event and they enjoyed themselves. That just makes us very happy.”

The festival also marked a transition for the ranch as it moves into its fall schedule.

“We move into our group retreats as soon as summer camp ends,” Smith said. “We have American Heritage Girls coming in, Girl Scout troops, a men’s retreat. That’s what we’re going to now, the group retreats. We have a group coming in for Feast of Tabernacles.”

The ranch closes to the public during summer camp to focus on campers, which has led staff to fill fall and winter with more events. “We do ride year-round, but in the winter it depends on the wind chill,” Smith said.

Next year’s festival is scheduled for Sept. 19.

The ranch continues to seek volunteers. “We’re a volunteer-based ministry, so we want to make sure we utilize everyone’s time well,” Smith said. “We’d love for more people to be able to enjoy the ranch.”