How it all began…

1984

A series of events fueled the evolution of an idea to hold an outdoor festival as a project of the Junior League. The idea was the dream of Junior League member and City of Wichita Falls Public Relations Director Norma Crane. While talk of a festival was in its infancy among a core group of League members, across town a new organization was forming—Wichita Falls Streams & Valleys, Inc. This new organization was founded and headed by Roby Christie, a tireless community volunteer who was looking for ways to increase participation in the city’s newest event, and Christie’s brainchild, the Hotter ‘N Hell Hundred bike ride. He also planned for the organization to be heavily involved in the development of parks and greenspaces in the city. While looking for board members for the fledgling organization, Christie turned to Junior League members Ruth Ann Allred, Sue Crosnoe, Sandy Goff, Gail Natale and Gale Richardson. This combination marked the beginning of what would become a very successful collaboration.

1985

Research on how to structure a park festival was the focus of the next year. Junior League members, led by Sue Crosnoe, first Co-Director of FallsFest, diligently examined similar festivals. Organizational details from Mayfest in Ft. Worth and Funfest in Amarillo served as the pattern for festival specifics. Two partners, the newly formed Streams & Valleys organization and the City of Wichita Falls Parks and Recreation Department, were also brought on board as co-sponsors of the festival.

Timing of the new event was critical. Because of the number of volunteers involved in the Wichita Falls Museum and Art Center’s Spring Fling and the League’s holiday market, Christmas Magic, the group decided to hold the festival between the two events. Following an affirmative vote by Junior League members, dates for the festival debut were set for June 6-8, 1986. The new logo was unveiled and the first steering committee of 35 people was formed. Fifty-nine additional volunteers were also recruited for sub-committees of the new event.

Happy Birthday...

News of the outdoor festival spread quickly and by the time the gates closed on the first event, more than 25,000 festival goers had made their way to Lucy Park. With the help of over 1,500 volunteers, the three day event was dubbed a success, and provided the Wichita Falls community with a quality, affordable, outdoor, family festival.

But with every new event comes unexpected challenges and FallsFest was no exception. Traffic congestion and park visitors who preferred climbing fences and fording the river to avoid the $2.50 admission were common. But the biggest surprise of the inaugural year was the entertainment. Just days before the festival was set to open, word came that the Wichita Falls Symphony would be unable to perform as the festival headline entertainment. Organizers quickly combed local sources to see if anyone might have a connection with an entertainer who would be available on short notice. Fortunately they found a connection and in 1986 legendary guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn took the main stage. The FallsFest committee was astounded. As the crowds poured into the park, they had no idea the entertainment treasure they had landed—all by luck. That performance has helped define the entertainment expectations of FallsFest visitors for the past two decades.

With one successful event under their belts, the FallsFest committee eagerly planned year two. The second annual FallsFest would focus around another milestone event in Wichita Falls history. Dubbed “The Biggest Turn On in Texas,” FallsFest would kick off with the dedication of a long-term project to rebuild the city’s namesake, a waterfall on the banks of the Wichita River near Lucy Park. But as the event drew near, so did the rain clouds and by opening day 1987, Mother Nature had left the festival area flooded and rushing waters covered a portion of the newly completed falls. Even so, the tenacious FallsFest committee vowed to carry on. With promises by the city’s public works department of receding waters by FallsFest opening, they continued preparations. City officials were correct and by 5 p.m. on opening day the 2nd annual FallsFest was ready for business.

Many other significant milestones have graced the event over the past 21 years. In 1991 the FallsFest steering committee made the decision to move the festival from June to September. In 1992, FallsFest drew the largest crowd to date when entertainers Brooks and Dunn performed, literally stopping traffic along Seymour Highway. FallsFest was changed from a three-day to a two-day event in 1996. And 2000 marked the inaugural Poker Run, FallsFest most popular special event, drawing over 450 motorcycle riders to Lucy Park annually.

A Salute...

FallsFest would not be what it is today without the commitment of thousands of volunteers, many of who return year after year to be a part of the event. Among those are 37 women who have given sacrificially of their time and have dedicated several years of their Junior League career to this event. Their leadership and servitude have continued to breathe life into what is still today Wichita Falls’ favorite festival. Seven of these women have co-directed the event two times. Fourteen of these Directors have been or are slated to be the President of the Junior League. Seven FallsFest Directors have also chaired Christmas Magic. And, an amazing 15 past FallsFest Directors are on the 2007 Steering Committee.

FallsFest Directors 1986-2005

1986 Sue Crosnoe & Karen Chironi
1987 Gail Natale & Gale Richardson
1988 Pam Harvey & Karen Jacobsen
1989 Doris Altman & Joellen Tritton
1990 Nancy Carter & Debbie White
1991 Cathy Gamble & Debbie White
1992 Sherri Burns & Carol Ann Riddle
1993 Lea Ann Bernethy & Sherri Burns
1994 Nancy Astwood & Christi Farnsworth
1995 Angela Culley & Stella Wilson
1996 Angela Culley & Brenda Ginnings
1997 Leslie Schaffner & Tracy Travis-Friega
1998 Lorrie Horgan & Rhonda Poirot
1999 Susan Basham & Gloria Steimel
2000 Susan Basham & Lisa Plaxco
2001 LeAnn Drake & Robbie Kelly
2002 Rachelle Cooper & Keli Fields
2003 Keli Fields & Stephanie Hollingsworth
2004 Denise Moffat & Katie Parkey
2005 Catherine Earley & Gloria Steimel

2006 Catherine Earley & Paula Perkins

2007 Sheila Catron & Kathy Mickus

Years of growth...

Today, over 20 years since a small group of volunteers envisioned the start of a park festival, many things have changed with FallsFest; but the core goals remain the same. Among those is the commitment to keeping the festival affordable for the entire family. Also, providing an opportunity for local nonprofit organizations to bring food and game booths to the park as fundraisers for their own projects and programs has always been key to the event’s success. Since its inception, FallsFest has returned over $1,000,000 to the Wichita Falls community. Aside from the benefit to countless local organizations, proceeds have been used to help fund such community projects as River Bend Nature Center, the Wee-Chi-Tah Sculpture, Berend’s Landing, and parks and green space development within the city. Each of these is a tangible example and daily testament to the power of dedicated volunteers—and a great idea.

Here’s to the next 20 years of FallsFest!