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With cloudy skies and a temperate 68 degrees, the streets of Ellsworth were filled with revelers to enjoy Fall Fest Oct. 23.

More than two dozen vendors and businesses provided options for visitors throughout the late afternoon and into the evening.

Alyssa Jewell with Central Kansas Mental Health Center had a popular table. Guests would spin the wheel, answer a question and collect a prize.

“We have a wheel for the children. When they spin it, it lands on a color and each has a coping strategy or question about our emotions,” she said. “For example, you land on blue, we want kids to be able to identify emotions. They show me sad or worried or anxious.”

A steady stream of visitors stopped to spin the wheel and interact with Jewell.

“I think it’s extremely important to be where the people are. We want to meet everybody where they’re at. This conversation is important to have, even at a fun event like this,” she said.

Jewell pointed out CKMHC is available in Ellsworth County.

“I think a lot of times people view mental health as (having) a lot of barriers. We try to knock those down and come out to the community and get people involved,” she said. “In Ellsworth, we are in all of the school districts. Children can get services right there in the school.”

Jewell also said CKMHC has sameday access for those who need immediate services. She said walkin services are available from noon-3 p.m. during the week.

Grow Ellsworth County Executive Director Kevin Colle handled the longhorn decorating contest for the event.

“The longhorns is a tradition that started a few years ago. In the past, businesses hung them in their windows. They are at a central voting location,” he said.

This year, the contest included 13 entries.

Winners were:

• First place — Ellsworth County Medical Center

• Second place — Hattie Jo’s Coffee House

• 3rd Place — Manestream Salon Colle said about 30 businesses participated in Fall Fest.

“We have some vendors and participating businesses who have storefronts open late,” he said. “It’s been great, interacting with vendors I might not get to interact with, learn more about their business.”

Holding an event on a Thursday night is a purposeful choice, he said.

“On a Thursday night, downtown would not have this kind of foot traffic without an event happening like this,” Colle said. “The return on investment is huge, both for vendors and downtown businesses.

“Part of having a thriving downtown is to get people out to shop local.”

Linda Strella, who owned Strella’s Family Shoe Center downtown for many years, strolled the sidewalks, taking the event in until the very end.

“It’s been great, interacting with vendors I might not get to interact with, learn more about their business.”

Kevin Colle

Grow Ellsworth County Executive Director “I wish I had come down sooner,” she said. “I enjoy it. I think it’s fun.

“I like it when they have the doors open. It feels more inviting.”

During the evening, businesses provided activities such as decorating cookies at the Ellsworth Area Arts Council.

Businesses also offered refreshments and incentives to purchase merchandise.

On West First Street, Jan and Brian Bontrager were selling pulled pork on the sidewalk in front of The Smoking Barrel.

“We just sold out of everything. Come back tomorrow or Saturday,” Jan told visitors by 5:45 p.m. “I really wasn’t expecting to sell out this year because there are other food vendors around.”

The duo started serving about 4:15 p.m., and the last scoop of pulled pork was gone by 5:45 p.m.

She said the restaurant prepared 30 pounds of meat.

“We’ll make twice the amount of meat next year,” she said.

Jan said events like Fall Fest are important for Ellsworth.

“I think it’s important because it brings people downtown when a lot of times they might not go downtown,” she said. “This draws them downtown to see what we have, especially some of the newer businesses. Even the regular businesses. It helps to draw people. It brings us together in community.”

Colle said the economic boost is always helpful, but isn’t the only reason to host events downtown.

“We want to create a vibrant community, somewhere people want to live,” he said. “(It’s nice to) see the whole town come out and support things.”