Planning a Harvest Festival For a Church

I see an older post here about a gypsy fortune tent which is actually a witnessing tent. Could somebody elaborate on this project?

If there is a furniture store nearby, you could get the cardboard boxes that the furniture comes in and build a huge maze. This will just require the cardboard and duct tape! This is very inexpensive aand the kids will have a blast!

Plastic water bottles are good for ball toss or duck pin bowling, add a little something in the bottom. Matchbox car races. Card board painted like a football field for bean bag throw. Have a miniature hole in one. There is always draw a hand turkey, or decorate sugar cookies. Make a scarecrow with old clothes and stuff them with newspaper cut old sheets into squares stuff for the head tie it all together. I get old sheets from second hand stores for about two dollars. Have fun.

White Elephant Sale, Baked Goods Sales, some simple games for both children and adults. Games like the 3 Legged Race for instance really livens up a any type of get-togther. If you have room , set up Horseshoes, and teach the youngsters. Pinatas can be made both for adults and children.

Appoint several committees so that just a few people don't have to take on all the work.

Sell Donuts and coffee or hot chocolate, hot dogs, hamburgers and pop corn.

Get donations from merchants, things to raffle off and make the ticket prices something like 3/$1. You'll sell
lots more tickets than if you charge $1 a ticket. Have at least one really good prize like a TV or a computer, and if possible, ask the dealer for discount towards a good cause. Be sure to list every contributing business who helps you and post their names prominently, and also in your church bulletin.

Short treasure hunts and Spin-the-Bottle for kids to win little prizes instead of kissing games. A hayride, even
if it's just a big red wagon with some hay in it. Let the larger children pull the little ones around certain areas.

Think 1890 instead of 2010, and come up with things from long ago to teach the children how much fun the old pioneer people may have had fun with.

Enjoy every minute and take lots of pictures. And don't forget to gather up all the news about the event, and print out a "newspaper" to go into the church bulletin.

MisMachado

Do a cakewalk. Find some cheap things to make online and have craft tables to do them at from donated items. Everyone has something they don't want or don't use. Ask also for things to give as gifts for door prizes. Get the congregation in the mood and sweep them up into a sharing mood.
Best Wishes.
Gem