SAVE THE DATE!

Exeter Fall Festival announcement 2023
History of Fall Festival

Click the timeframes below to read about the history of the Exeter Fall Festival.

1900-1950
1913   Chrysanthemum Show was held on Nov. 15, 1913.

(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
1951   Emperor Grape Festival was held on Oct. 5-6, 1951.

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
1991   Exeter Fall Festival Held Oct. 10-13
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.