AGAWAM – Even though clouds and downpours changed the date of the Agawam Rotary Club Harvest Festival and Family Fun Day, the Agawam Rotary Club didn’t let it rain on their parade. On Oct. 14, the festival took place at School Street Park and brought fun for everyone.

Susanne DeVillier, who has coordinated the annual Harvest Festival for the last seven years, is happy that the community turned out for the event despite the obstacle of the date change. “It was a community thing this year and the community came out and supported Rotary and the vendors. I am happy about it. Everybody had a great time that came out.” This was the first time that DeVillier has needed to utilize the rain date, but the community still came out to celebrate the harvest season.

The Agawam Rotary Club is a service organization that promotes the idea of “service over self.” In several ways, the Agawam Rotary Club helps to build a better community. Celebrating its ninth year, the Harvest Festival and Family Fun Day is no exception, providing free fun for the neighborhood and a great day to celebrate fall.

Numerous food and craft vendors packed the green in the park including Moe’s Donuts, Chez Josef, Spirit & Stone, XOXO Gloss-Up Girl and Grampa Tom’s Handmade Doll Furniture. DeVillier always seeks opportunities to bring in lots of vendors and activities from the local area. As DeVillier shared, “It was an event for the Rotary to do something for the community. It’s something nice to bring everyone together to have a great time. I invite the high school bands, local dance groups, and tae kwon do groups. We try to bring in the whole town.”

Among shopping opportunities was live music, a robotics presentation and an auto show. DeVillier feared that the change of date would affect how many people showed up to participate in the festival. Seeing that the community still gathered a day later, she is thankful.

DeVillier said, “Thank you to the community for coming out, remembering the festival, and keeping it a part of their fall events. It’s nice to know it’s going to become a town tradition.”