Bluffton celebrates the arrival of fall at its eighth annual Fall Festival, Saturday, Sept. 24.

The festival includes activities at seven different locations. Here's information about the day:

Mennonite Memorial Home, 410 W. Elm St., is the hub for all free transportation. Persons attending events are encouraged to park at one of the venues and grab the free horse and wagon rides, or the buses that travel to all locations.

The buses arrive and depart every 15 minutes from Maple Crest, Swiss Homestead, Suter's Corn Maze, Downtown and the Mennonite Home.

Two horse and wagons will transport participants from the Mennonite Home to downtown Bluffton and back. (Most events are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The health health fair at BFR is from 8 a.m. to noon.)

BFR health fair

The Health Fair is located at Bluffton Family Recreation, 215 Snider Road. Material available includes an assortment of information about health issues.

There will be a free health screenings for bone density, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, eye test and more. On display will be Life Flight, EMS and fire equipment and a chance to win door prizes and gift baskets.

For youngsters there is a bike rodeo, and a chance to win bikes. The Bluffton Lion's Club will hold its drawing on the 1995 Corvette. The winning ticket is drawn at 11 a.m. The winner does not need to be present to win.

Mennonite Memorial Home
Several events begin at 10 a.m. at the Mennonite Memorial Home. These include the Service Group's silent auction of handmade items, a bake sale with pies, cakes, breads and cookies, plus lunch.

The Crawfis family will sell kettle corn. A floral design contest will also take place at MMH. All entries will be on display for public viewing. New this year is a photo booth where persons may have your picture taken for fun. For children there will be a horse and wagon rides, a train ride, hay dig, and more.

Maple Crest Senior Living Village
Maple Crest Senior Living Village, 700 Maple Crest Court, off Augusburger Road, will hold a quilt show with numerous quilts and wall hanging in the Patio Room. The show is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A color collectors brochure is available.

There will be musical entertainment at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Food featureing cinnamon ice cream with homemade apple crisp along with hot dogs and otyher items are available. An antique tractor show with a kiddie tractor pull begins at 1:30 p.m. Maple Crest will host a fishing derby for all ages from 2-3:30 p.m. with prizes for different categories of fish.

Downtown Bluffton

On Main Street will be free kid's activities including inflatables, games, food, face painting and more. The farmers' market is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon. A movie matinee is at the Shannon Theater.

Oscar Velasquez will be uptown signing prints. The Senior Center hosts arug and quilting demonstration along with lunch. The Bluffton Public Library will be host a dulcimer gathering music fest', a book and bake sale, and kid's crafts from 9:30 to 2 p.m.

Swiss Homestead

The Swiss Homestead, 8350 Bixel Road includes tours of the 1840s Swiss Farmhouse, an 1854 bank barn, old-time music, and kid's activities, exhibits, demonstrations, Indian village and food.

There are several newly completed 1840s-era projects at the house. These include a replica of the original summer house, a woodworking shop, carriage shop and new stone work detail.

This is a treat for history buffs or those interested in exhibits and demonstrations such as; garden, spinning, meat smoking, roofing, wagon rides, plowing, antique farm machinery, corn shelling, chair caning and historical books.

Food on sale at the Swiss Homestead includes homemade bread, popcorn and potato soup made in an iron kettle over an open fire. Activities especially for children include include a straw maze and farm animals on exhibit.

Suter's Cider Press and Corn Maze

Suter' Cider Press and Corn Maze, 12200 Putnam Road (Road R) will feature several activites. This year's corn maze theme is "American Indians." Visitors may pick a pumpkin from the Suter fields, play games, shoot the Corn Cannons, and see the 1888 cider press and purchase apple cider.