Chapel hosts Harvest Festival

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Anania Tekurio
  • 28th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Children of military members on base arrived at the Chapel Activities Center - some dressed as Darth Vader, the Hulk, and even an Angry Bird - to celebrate the fall season and spooky holiday at Ellsworth's annual Harvest Festival Oct. 29.

The Harvest Festival kicked off with families sitting down to have dinner together, followed by games, crafts and contests for children to participate in.

"Every Wednesday night we usually do fellowship but with fall season approaching and Halloween this week, we thought it would be fun to have a little event for the kids to celebrate together," said Mindy Jefferson, organizer of event and wife of Senior Master Sgt. John Jefferson, 28th Contracting Squadron superintendent.

More than 25 volunteers helped with the event, from setting up tables and chairs to donating all the food, drinks and candy.

Senior Airman Karina Quinones-Roberts, 28th Civil Engineer Squadron engineering technician, has volunteered each Wednesday since the school season began in September and feels events like these provide a positive environment where kids have the opportunity to get to know one another better.

"I think the Harvest Festival is great for the kids and it's fun to see them dressed up in costumes of their favorite superheroes and characters," said Quinones-Roberts.

Throughout the night, children partook in several activities to include bowling, plinko, a potato sack race and a hula hoop contest.

"I really liked playing the bowling game," said Morgan Gingerich, daughter of Staff Sgt. Reuben Gingerich, 28th CES engineering technician. "I won so many cool prizes."

Jefferson added that the Harvest Festival is all about providing a fun and safe environment for the children to celebrate Halloween together.

"The kids are great and I'm happy that I was able to be a part of organizing this event for them," said Jefferson. "It was a great turnout and I couldn't have done this without the help of all the volunteers."