Harvest Homecoming returns to New Albany this week

Allyson Glass grew up at Harvest Homecoming. Her parents were vice presidents and directors, and she saw them put community service at the forefront of their work.

When Glass was old enough, she took on a leadership role. She is now the 2026-2027 president-elect and is preparing with other volunteers for the 57th annual community festival in downtown New Albany this week.

“I love just sitting in the booth and seeing the crowd – it never ends,” she said. “And for me, that’s a good feeling…seeing all the happy people down there just building a community and enjoying the day.”

The festival officially begins Saturday afternoon with a parade, followed by events throughout the week, including rides and stalls popular for their food, crafts and other activities.

The festival’s nine days feature a balloon glow, tethered hot air balloon rides, children’s films, a pumpkin decorating contest and a dog show. But this is not an exhaustive list.

“It’s really a homecoming for everyone,” Glass said. “We’ve met people who come from Florida to see people, from California … it’s exciting to see how many people come from all over to just come back, see people and build a sense of community.”

As vice president of the festival, Glass is overseeing the parade this year. There are more than 100 entries, and she said more than 40 are floats.

One of them is the work of IU Southeast art students and their professor Donna Stallard. Following this year’s festival theme, “Fall Sock Hop,” Stallard and her students worked together to create a vision for the project. It will include a drinks fountain, a black-and-white checkered dance floor and a DJ booth with records hanging on the wall.

Hailey Hartman, an education major, painted the records. Brandy Baas worked on the checkered floor. Earlier this week, they worked with Stallard to decorate the float.

Both said they enjoyed the relaxation of painting and the impact of the entire project.

“It’s really satisfying for me just knowing that I’m doing something that everyone else is going to enjoy,” Hartman said.

Stallard said she enjoys watching her students learn new things. In this project, they may use tools that they would not use during regular class time. They also need to work on a larger scale.

“On parade day, you could see a difference in their confidence and empowerment,” Stallard said. “Because they can see all the work they have done coming to fruition. And they can see how supportive the city of New Albany is of this event.”

Closing out the parade is Mr. Pumpkin – the festival’s long-time mascot. The large orange jack-o-lantern will then dominate the central stand area.

“This is actually the third Mr. Pumpkin,” said Polly Niemeier, vice president, director and office manager of Harvest Homecoming, which has been a part of the festival for more than 50 years. The first one had an accident around 20 years ago.

“I don’t think we’re really sure exactly what happened, but Mr. Pumpkin ended up in the middle of the freeway in Louisville,” she said.

“At first we were very shocked, surprised and worried. Then it became quite a joke.”

Niemeier said her involvement is about community service, but also about family – several family members are involved.

“We all work together, and it’s part of our time of being together and being with other people that we’re with year after year, and new people too.”

Glass, the president-elect, said she is happy to be part of something that brings joy, like her parents and so many other volunteers who keep the festival going have.

“For me, it’s just something we do. We do this for our community,” she said. “They’re just trying to make a better little world, and this is the week we get there.”

For more information, see harvesthomecoming.com.

Southern Indiana coverage is funded in part by Samtec Inc., the Hazel & Walter T. Bales Foundation and the Caesars Foundation of Floyd County.