
SAVE THE DATE!

History of Fall Festival
Click the timeframes below to read about the history of the Exeter Fall Festival.
1900-1950
(Organized by Exeter Presbyterian Church)
Queen: Della Richards
Grand Prize: Mrs. John Van Cleve
Events: Doll Buggy Parade, Flower Judging
1914 Chrysanthemum Show was held Nov. 5-7, 1914 at Visalia Electric RR Co. “tig car barn.”
Queen: Vera Cornelius (Queen of All Seasons)
There was also a King, Willard Mixter, and a Court.
Events: Coronation Contata, football games, Play, Juvenile Parade, Minstrel Show,
Big Bargain Days (Prizes for flowers was $10 for first, $5 for second and $2.50 for third)
1915 No Festival.
1916 Chrysanthemum Show was held on Nov. 9-11, 1916.
(Now organized by Exeter Women’s Club)
1st Place: J. Osaki
Events: Flower Judging, Children’s Parade (200 children dressed as favorite story characters), Vaudeville acts, comic opera called “Yokohoma”, Fish Pond carnival game.
A Waffle Booth netted $125 during the show.
1917 Chrysanthemum Festival was held Nov. 10, 1917 at the Sierra Vista Mall.
(Proceeds from the event benefitted the Red Cross)
1st Place: J. Osaki
1918 No Festival during World War I.
1919 No Festival during World War I.
1920 No Festival during World War I.
1921 Chrysanthemum Festival was held on Nov. 4-5, 1921.
Class A, 1st Place: Mrs. J.G. Mulligan of Selma for Best 12 Chrysanthemums.
Events: Children’s Parade, Big Dance.
1922 Chrysanthemum Fair was held on Nov. 17-18, 1922 at the Legion Hall.
Class A, 1st Place: W.P. Ballard for Best 12 Chrysanthemums.
Events: Flower Show, Children’s Parade
1923 Harvest Home Festival was held Nov. 16-17, 1923.
(Proceeds benefitted the Exeter Women’s Club’s clubhouse fund)
Events: Flower Show, Lincoln School Play, Children’s Parade, Dance, Talent Show
1924 No Festival.
1925 No Festival.
1926 A “fall festival” was held Nov. 5-6, 1926.
1927 No Festival.
1928 No Festival.
1929 No Festival.
1930 No Festival.
1931 Exeter Emperor Grape & Homecoming Festival was held on Oct. 31-Nov. 1, 1931.
Events: Children’s Parade, Air Circus (featuring TransPacific pilots),
high school and college football games, Street Dance, Old Timers Lunch,
Old Tire Race, Pushmobile Race, Roller Skate Race
1932 Emperor Grape Festival was held on Oct. 22, 1932.
(Organized by the Exeter Chamber of Commerce)
Events: Parade, football games, Old Timers Lunch, Carnival, Children’s Parade
1933 Emperor Grape Festival was held on Oct. 12, 1933.
Events: Children’s Parade, Old Timers Luncheon (more than 200 hundred attended)
1934 Emperor Grape Festival was held on Nov. 3, 1934.
Events: Children’s Parade, Old Timers Lunch, Vaudeville Acts.
1935 No Festival.
1936 No Festival.
1937 No Festival.
1938 No Festival.
1939 No Festival.
1940 Emperor Grape Festival was held on Oct. 5, 1940. 8,000 people attended.
Queen: Lillian Zimmerman (DeShazo). Called the “Theme Girl.”
Grand Marshal: Fred Gill, cattle magnate
Sweepstakes: Exeter Kiwanis Club.
Events: Dress Up Days, Bonfire Rally, football, Street Dance, Plane Show, Horse Show.
1941 Emperor Grape Festival was held on Oct. 4, 1941
Queen: Delores Coiner
Grand Marshal: Sheriff Bud Sherman
Events: Parade, Horseshoe, Dress Up Parade & Bonfire, football game,
trick horse named Canella performed.
1942 No festival was held during World War II.
1943 No festival was held during World War II.
1944 No festival was held during World War II.
1945 No festival was held during World War II.
1946 Emperor Grape Festival was held on Nov. 16, 1946.
Grand Marshal: Miss Joan Madsen, 12, representing the Exeter Saddle Club.
1947 Emperor Grape Festival was held on Oct. 11, 1947. 10,000 people attended.
Queen: Norma Chambers, junior at Fresno State College.
Grand Marshal: Fred Gill, cattle magnate
Events: Crystalcade Aquatics Show, Parade, football game, Street Dance, Old Timers Luncheon, Whiskerino Contest.
1948 Emperor Grape Festival was held Sept. 27-Oct. 2, 1948.
Queen: Joanna Garton, sponsored by Exeter Kiwanis Club.
Events: Bulldorado Brahma Bull Circus, Dress Up Week
1949 Emperor Grape Festival was held on Oct. X, 1949. 10,000 people attended.
Queen: Dorothy Owings.
Grand Marshal: Mrs. Virginia Van Odoll, retiring secretary of the Exeter Chamber.
Sweepstakes: Kaweah School.
Events: Air Show, BBQ, Hollywood Novelty Revue.
1950 No festival was held because the previous year lost money.
1951-1990
Queen: Marybelle Greer. Selected by EHS seniors.
Grand Marshal: B.F. List, grape grower/packer, former mayor, works w/YMCA
Sweepstakes: Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Events: Parade, Old Timers Lunch, Annual Horse Show by Exeter Saddle Club,
Hilo Hattie performs, Homecoming football game and dance,
1952 Emperor Grape Festival was held Oct. 9-11, 1952.
Queen: Sonia Martin sponsored by the Senior Class
Grand Marshal: Harold Stadtmiller
Sweepstakes: Clovis Chamber of Commerce
Events: Play (Mellerdrammer)
Notes: Queen crowned by John Arthur Reynolds,
secretary-manager of the Central Valley Empire Association.
1953 Emperor Grape Festival was held Oct. 15-17, 1953.
Queen: Billie Jean Lavedock was selected by ticket sales.
Sweepstakes: Tulare Chamber of Commerce
1954 No festival was held in response to a petition from emperor grape growers
who said a festival held in October-November interrupts the grape harvest.
1955 Exeter Horse Show & Spring Festival was held June 17-18, 1955.
Queen: None
Events: Old Timers Reunion, Horse Show, Calf Riding
1956 No festival was held.
1957 Exeter Horse Show was held on June 21, 1957.
Grand Marshal: Will V. Smith
Events: Stake Race, Calfdogging,
No festival was held. The Chamber did hold a Harvest Value Days, where all businesses offered discounts and fun events to bring shoppers to downtown throughout the month. In Spring, the Chamber held an Exeter Community Fair with home exhibits and a calf scramble.
1958 Exeter Festival & Horse Show was held on Sept. 25, 1958.
Queen: Mary Katherine Slack, sponsored by the Exeter Lions Club.
Sweepstakes: Visalia Junior Chamber of Commerce
Events: Parade, Street Dance, Old Timers Lunch, Horse Show, Egg Race, Whiskerino Contest, Back-To-School Drawing
1959 Exeter Festival was held Sept. 25, 1959.
Queen: Carolyn Knapp, sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal: Mrs. Fred Gill
Sweepstakes: Tulare Chamber of Commerce – Dairy Fiesta.
Events: JC Football game, Turkey BBQ, Old Timers Lunch
1960 Exeter Festival was held Sept. 23-24, 1960.
Queen: Diane Bowlen sponsored by the Exeter Lions Club
Grand Marshal: E.R. Piepenburg
Sweepstakes: Consolidated Milk Producers of Tulare
Events: HS football game, Street Dance, Old Timers Reunion
1961 Exeter Festival was held on Sept. 29-30.
Queen: Pamela Lawrence, sponsored by Exeter Kiwanis Club.
Grand Marshal: Lake Dungan
Events: Street Fair, Street Dance, Old Timers Reunion
1962 Exeter Festival was held on June 9, 1962.
Queen: None.
Grand Marshal: W. S. Clawson, publisher of The Exeter Sun
Sweepstakes: H. Paul Haydon of Woodlake
Events: Hole-in-One Contest, Horseshoe Pitching Contest at City Park, Old Timers
Luncheon, Exeter Charity Baseball Game
(predecessor to the Lions’ East-West All Star Game)
1963 Exeter Festival was held on Oct. 9-11, 1963.
Queen: Patty Harris, sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club.
Grand Marshal: J.E. Feldmayer
Sweepstakes: Lindsay’s Orange Blossom Festival
Events: 2nd Exeter Charity Baseball Game
1964 Exeter Fall Festival was held Oct. 9-11, 1964
Queen: Cathy Shields, sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal: Ralph Wilson
Sweepstakes: City of Kingsburg
Events: EUHS football game, Talent Show, Horseshoe Pitching Contest, Bowling Exhibition, Men’s Golf Tournament
1965 Red Carpet Festival was held on Oct. 1-3, 1965.
Queen: Denise Turner, sponsored by Exeter Kiwanis Club.
Grand Marshal: Rena Cary, lifelone Exeter resident
Sweepstakes: City of Kingsburg
Events: Carnival, Pancake Breakfast (Exeter Woman’s Club), Horseshoe Tournament,
Old Timers Lunch, Bowling Tournament, Window Decorating Contest.
1966 Red Carpet Festival was held Sept. 28-31, 1966.
Queen: Saundra Robinson, sponsored by Future Farmers of America
Grand Marshal: Morris and Rill Erickson
Events: Jail, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Old Timers Lunch, FFA greased pig contest, Horseshoe Tournament
1967 Red Carpet Festival was held on Oct. 7, 1967
Queen: Eydie Mathenia, sponsored by Business & Professional Women’s Club
Grand Marashal: Sen. Howard Way
Sweepstakes: Kingsburg Community Float
Events: Petting Zoo, Old Timers Lunch, Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast
1968 Red Carpet Festival was held on Oct. 12, 1968.
Queen: Marcia Fonville, sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club.
Grand Marshal: Mr. & Mrs. Charles Wilshire, mayor of Exeter
Events: Old Timers Lunch.
1969 Red Carpet Festival was held on Oct.
Queen: Sue Anderson, sponsored by Business and Professional Club
Grand Marshal: ?
Sweepstakes: Tehran Temple, Shriners
1970 Red Carpet Festival was held on Oct. 15-17, 1970
Queen: Diana Pierce, sponsored by Junior Woman’s Club
Grand Marshal: Man and Woman of the Year Mixter and Lola Dahlem
Sweepstakes: Tulare Union High School Marching Band
1971 Red Carpet Festival was held Oct. 10-16, 1971
Queen: Libbi Sweet, sponsored by Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal: Man and Woman of the Year David Turner and Betty Voelz
Sweepstakes: Tulare Union High School Marching Band
1972 Red Carpet Festival was held Oct. 1-8
Queen: Jene Walter, sponsored by the Rainbow Girls Exeter Assembly No. 93
Grand Marshal: Josephine Douglas, Bill Ellis
Sweepstakes:
1973 Red Carpet Festival was held Oct. 24-27
Queen: Patty Harris
Grand Marshal: Phyllis Turner, Weldon Johnson
Sweepstakes:
1974 Red Carpet Festival was held Oct. 10-12
Queen: Pamela Luiz, sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal: Mabel Doctor and Jack Cary Woman and Man of the Year
Sweepstakes: Porterville High School Panther Band
1975 Red Carpet Festival was held Oct.9-12
Queen: Susie Hattic sponsored by the Future Farmers of America
Grand Marshal: Bill Smith (92 years of age) a resident of Exeter since 1914
Sweepstakes: College of the Sequoias Marching Band
1976 Red Carpet Festival (Theme: Best of the Old West)
Queen: Julie Zimmer, sponsored by the Jaycees
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes: Porterville High School Panther Band
1977 Exeter Fall Festival
Queen Josie Gonzalez sponsored by the Future Farmers of America
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes: The Marching group from Atwater, the Atwater Commanders
1978 Exeter Fall Festival was held Oct. 12-14
Queen: Camille Soine sponsored by American Legion
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes: Porterville High School Panther Band
1979 Exeter Fall Festival
Queen: Lori Stewart, sponsored by Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes: Corcoran Chamber of Commerce float
1980 Exeter Fall Festival “Harvest Hoedown” (A 65-year tradition) held Oct. 16-19
Events: Arts and Crafts show, Horseshoe contest, California Championship Cow Chip throwing contest, Frisbee Demonstration,(New) Children’s Harvest Hunt Straw Pile, (NEW) Bocce Ball Tournament
Queen: Annona Abney, sponsored by the Lions Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes: Corcoran Chamber of Commerce “Cotton produces a Rainbow of Color”
1981 Exeter Fall Festival held Oct. 8-11
Events: (New) Firemen’s Fun Muster, Bacce Ball Tournament, Harvest Hunt straw pile, Calif. Championship Cow Chip Throwing contest, Horseshoe contest, Arts and crafts show, 4th annual Fall Tennis Tournament
Queen: Julie Smithson (15 year old), Sponsored by the EUHS Golden Pride Marching Band
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes: Rebekah and Odd Fellows Lodge
1982 Exeter Fall Festival held Oct. 7-10
Events: Football game, (New) Arthritis Foundation 10,000 meter run, Bocci Ball Tournament, Horseshoe Tournament, Arts and Craft Show, Fireman’s Muster, Calif. Cow Chip Championships, Festival Dance
Queen: Leslie Archer, Sponsored by the Exeter Woman’s Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes: Exeter’s 4-H club
1983 Exeter Fall Festival Held
Events: Fashion Show, 10k run, Breakfast
Queen: Elizabeth Pinkham sponsored by the Exeter Woman’s Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1984 Exeter Fall Festival Held
Events: Country Jamboree, Skateboard Competition, Breakfast
Queen: Liz Bethel sponsored by the Exeter Woman’s Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1985 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 10-12
Events: Horseshoe/Cow Chip throwing tournament
Queen: Carolyn Dickens sponsored by Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal: Clarence Nielsen and Anna Marjoree McGee, Exeter’s Man and Woman of the year
Sweepstakes: The Save Mart Wagon and Team
1986 Exeter Fall Festival Held
Events: Carnival, Window Decoration Contest, 10k run
Queen: Nicki Alcorn sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1987 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 7-11 “Country Jamboree”
Events: Youth Football, Dinner/Dance, Bocci Ball/10 k/ Horseshoe/Cow chip throwing tournaments
Queen: Roxanne Corley sponsored by the Lions Club
Grand Marshal: Don Appling and Ruth Graves, Exeter’s Man and Woman of the Year
Sweepstakes: The College of the Sequoias Marching Band
1988 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 5-8
Events: 10k run, Golf Tournament, Horseshoe tournament, Turkey Championship races
Queen: Misha McQuary sponsored by EUHS Keywanetts
Grand Marshal: William and Golda Hengst
Sweepstakes: The Porterville Union High School Band
1989 Exeter Fall Festival “Splash into the ‘90’s” held Oct. 9-14
Events: 10k race, Horseshoe Tournament, Antique and Custom Car Display,
Queen: Angela Hamon, sponsored by Keywanettes Club
Grand Marshal: Betsy Peterson and Russ Weems, Exeter’s Woman and Man of the Year
Sweepstakes: The Exeter Chamber of Commerce
1990 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 10-13
Events: Pancake Breakfast, 10k race, Horseshoe Tournament, Cow Chip Throwing Contest, Pumpkin Carving Contest
Queen: Dawn Boland sponsored by Future Farmers of America
1991- Present
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, 10k run, Pancake Breakfast, Lip Sync Contest,
Queen: Michelle Devereaux sponsored by Exeter Sportsman’s Association
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1992 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 8-10
Events: Pumpkin Carving contest, Pancake Breakfast, Lip Sync Contest,10k run, Horseshoe pitching contest
Queen: Jamie Crosson sponsored by Kiwanis Club of Exeter
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1993 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 7-9
Events: New Carnival, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Lip Sync Contest, 10k and 2 mile run/walk, Horseshoe Tournament
Queen: Jennifer Hurley sponsored by Exeter Woman’s Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1994 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 4-8
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Lip Sync Contest, 10k race, prediction walk
Queen: Sara Guzman sponsored by the Exeter Lion’s Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1995 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 10-13
Events: Pie eating contest, Diaper Derby, Wheel Barrow Races, Hay rolling, Pumpkin carving Contest, Lip Sync Contest
Queen: Mandy Littlejohn sponsored by the Exeter Lion’s Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1996 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 5-12
Events: Pumpkin carving Contest , Window/Display Contest, Chamber Mixer, Lip Sync Contest, 10k run
Queen: Stephanie Seal sponsored by Exeter Woman’s Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1997 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 7-11
Events: Lip Sync Contest, 10k run, 2 mile prediction walk, Pancake Breakfast, Car show
Queen: Elizabeth Stevens sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1998 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 7-10
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Fall Festival Mixer, Lip Sync Contest, 10k run, 2 mile walk prediction
Queen: Meganne Thompson sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
1999 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 6-9
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Family Fun Games, Lip Sync Contest, Fall Festival Mixer, 10k run, 2 mile prediction walk, Pancake Breakfast
Queen: Holly Anderson sponsored by the Sequoia Pacific Systems Corp
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2000 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 9-14
Events: Family games, Pumpkin Carving Contest, Mixer, Lip Sync Contest, Downtown Parade
Queen: Julia Hazen sponsored by the Exeter Sportsmen Association
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2001 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 8-13
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Mixer, Lip Sync Contest, Downtown Parade
Queen: Ashley White sponsored by the Exeter Sportsman Association
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2002 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct.7-12
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Mixer in honor of Miss Exeter, Lip Sync Contest, Downtown Parade
Queen: Jenna Hovis sponsored by the Exeter Health and Wellness Foundation
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2003 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct.8-11
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, 13th Annual Lip Sync Contest, 10k run, 2 mile prediction walk
Queen: Hollee Hellwig sponsored by the Exeter Lion’s Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2004 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 4-9
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Lip Sync Contest, 10k 2 mile run walk, Horseshoe Tournament,
Queen: Samantha Sario sponsored by the Exeter Lion’s Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2005 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 5-8
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Chamber Mixer, Lip Sync Contest, Parade, Horseshoe Tournament, 10k run/walk
Queen: Kelsey Tashjian sponsored by Tashjian Realty
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2006 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 9-14
Events: Family Fun Night, Chamber Mixer, Lip Sync Contest, Parade, Pancake Breakfast, 10k run, 2 mile Prediction Walk
Queen: Nishelle Smith sponsored by Darinda Kunkel with Mary Kay Cosmetics
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2007 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 8-10
Events: Coronation dinner, Car show, Horseshoe Tournament, 10k run, 2 Mile Prediction Walk/Run
Queen: Jennifer Landers sponsored by Hometown Emporium
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2008 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct.8-12
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Mixer Lip Sync Contest, 10k Run, 2 mile prediction walk
Queen: Shelbey Kleinhans sponsored by the Exeter Lions Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2009 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 5-11
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Chamber of Commerce Mixer, Lip Sync Contest, Pancake Breakfast, Car and Bike show,10k run
Queen: Sharon Ross sponsored by Larry Lee Photography
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2010 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 6-9
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Pancake Breakfast, 10k run, 2 mile Prediction Walk, Lip Sync Contest
Queen: Julie Sutton sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2011 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 3-8
Events: Lip Sync Contest, Pancake Breakfast, 10k run, 2 mile Prediction, Char Show
Queen: Kayla Clark sponsored by Tricia Kirksey Real Estate
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2012 Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 9-12
Events: Pumpkin Carving Contest, Lip Sync Contest, 10k run, 2 Mile Prediction, Pancake Breakfast, Car & Bike show, Horseshoe Tournament
Queen: Danielle Sutton sponsored by the Exeter Kiwanis Club
Grand Marshal:
Sweepstakes:
2013 Exeter Fall Festival Oct.