After a hiatus of 11 years, Goessel once again celebrated a harvest festival Saturday.

The festival took place at several locations.

Amanda Voth, a member of the committee that organized the event, said people were so happy to once again have the celebration, which she and others began planning in April, that community organizations were fast to jump in.

“We had a lot of comments about how they are happy to have it back and they’re glad to see it bring the community together,” Voth said.

Goessel fire department sponsored a fundraiser breakfast and displayed fire trucks on the driveway of its fire house.

The oldest was a 1928 Model A Ford restored to running condition two years ago.

Down the street at the Goessel Church, vendors sold baked goods, home décor, baskets, blankets, glassware, kitchenware, coffees, jellies and jams, ceramics, miniature pumpkins, puff corn, banana bread, crocheted items, jewelry, baked goods, hand-painted pictures, plants, magnets, and more.

Teachers of a kids’ Bible club that meets in both Goessel and Walton had games and activities for children.

Mennonite Heritage Museum sponsored a car show that brought 13 classic cars for people to see.

Museum board president Jon Janzen said the museum used to have a car show in June but decided to partner with the Harvest Festival for cooler weather.

Inside the museum, Pat Bartel Penner demonstrated a peppernut machine that she and her brother make.

The device, made from plastic pipe, is loaded with cookie, cracker, or even dog treat dough, that is pushed down by a plunger until the dough oozes out of small holes in the side. An outer plastic pipe slides down the outside to cut the dough into small circles.

Besides freshly baked cookies and crackers, she served a pan dinner made with miniature meatballs and gnocchi run through the peppernut machine with vegetable pieces added.

Bethesda Home had a pumpkin carving contest and the library offered children’s activities. There also were bingo, face painting, a parade, and a hay scramble.

The schools sponsored a 5k run/walk, a one-mile family walk, and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament.

An alumni choir sang at 5 p.m. in the high school auditorium, followed by live music at 6 p.m., and a street dance at 7 p.m.