| 27th Annual Turned Leaf Fest Save the date: September 27, 2008 Myrick Park, Main Shelter 11am - Midnight |
| Coulee Council on Addictions |
| 921 West Avenue South, La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| History of Turned Leaf Fest The Turned Leaf Fest originated in 1982. Scarseth House, a group home for chemically dependent adolescents, designed the Fest as an alternative celebration for families and individuals who choose not to drink at Oktoberfest. It not only served this function well, but also provided a way to earn some much-needed money to help with recreational equipment. Some canoes, brought with money raised in 1982, are still in use at the current Scarseth House. Since that time, the Fest has retained its purpose and structure even while the location and coordinators have changed. The name, Turned Leaf Fest, signifies people in recovery turning over a new leaf and the changing leaf color in autumn. From the beginning, the Fests served traditional Oktoberfest food: brats, kraut, and soft drinks. They also provided a variety of activities and entertainment, including games, prizes, souvenirs, dancing, and a wonderful opportunity for fellowship. A large volunteer component was always there, consisting of alcohol and drug facility staff, recovering community volunteers, and resident of halfway houses and treatment programs. Most notable among the first volunteers were Nancy Gould, Bill Lindley, Bob Moe, (staff at Scarseth when the Fest first started); Ruth Griffin, Sarah McCalmont, Rick Quinn, and Dick McManimon were involved in later years. In 1995, the Coulee Council took over the coordinating responsibilities for the Fest, and has every year since. Primary responsibility for this effort has fallen to the Drop-In-Center Coordinator at the Council; first under Mike Boisen, Bert Hanson, Tom Munk and a variety of volunteers and Coulee Council staff currently organize the Fest. For some years, with the exception of the original Fest, all of the activities were held at Myrick Park. When the Coulee Council became involved, day activities remained at Myrick, but the evening dance was held elsewhere. In 1996 and 1998 the dance was held at the Heileman Center. Myrick Park seems to be destined to remain the eternal day home of Turned Leaf. It has been said that no matter if it is advertised or not, there always will be about 500 people standing at the main shelter of the park on Oktoberfest Saturday waiting for turned Leaf to begin. Many recovering people, who have moved out of the area, manage to return for this event, finding fellowship with old friends and meeting new ones. The Fest has, in a sense, created an institution of it's own, or at least, a valued community tradition. It is also open to anyone who wishes to participate in an alcohol and drug free event, whether or not they are recovering. Since Coulee Council has managed the Fest, the original goal of providing an alternative Fest continues. With rising costs, it has been a difficult challenge to keep it financially accessible to all and keep food, and other costs down. However, at $3.00 per admission on Fest day, it remains a very good deal. Twenty years ago, the button price was $1.00 and some of the food prices are the same or less than they were then. Of course, any recovering person who cannot afford even this minimal expense is given a button and a pass for food. They are also eligible to win door prizes. So, if you are looking for a fun alternative on Oktoberfest Saturday, if you like brats, hot dogs, or bbq's, sauerkraut, and lots of fellowship, great door prizes, recovery style volley ball, face-painting, great live entertainment, and dancing your socks off, please join us. We guarantee you a wonderful time! |
 |
 |