Red Barn Harvest Fest Aims to Become Geneseo's Newest Fall Tradition

By Sarah DeMaranville

There's something about harvest season that feels like home.

The changing leaves. Crisp autumn air. Pumpkins and mums lining front porches. Warm drinks in hand. Time spent with family.

For Ashley Marshall, those memories stretch back to her childhood growing up on a family farm, where autumn meant riding in the combine with her dad, helping drive grain carts, and watching another harvest come to life.

Now, she's turning those memories into a brand-new community tradition.

The inaugural Red Barn Harvest Fest will invite visitors to spend a day on the farm surrounded by local makers, live music, great food, family activities, and everything people love about fall in the Midwest.

The festival will be held at 19695 N 2120th Ave., Geneseo, located east of Geneseo along the Hennepin Canal heading toward Atkinson.

"It's really the combination of two passions," Ashley said. "I've always loved harvest season, and as a small business owner myself, I know how important opportunities like this are for makers and entrepreneurs. I wanted to create an event where people could celebrate the season while discovering and supporting amazing local businesses."

A Labor of Love

Although this is the festival's first year, months of preparation have gone into transforming the property into a destination designed for families to spend an entire day.

One of the biggest priorities, Ashley said, was carefully selecting vendors.

Rather than simply filling available spaces, organizers intentionally curated the event to feature a wide variety of businesses, ensuring shoppers will find unique products throughout the festival.

More than 60 makers and small businesses are expected to participate, offering everything from handmade goods and boutique clothing to home décor, fresh flowers, baked treats, and specialty gifts.

Behind the scenes, however, creating the festival has been very much a family effort.

Organizer Ashley Marshall poses with husband Joe and kids Evan, Liliana, Landon and Lanie.

"None of this would be possible without my husband, Joe," Ashley said. "This may have started as my dream, but it's definitely become ours."

She credits Joe with spending countless hours helping prepare the farm, tackling projects, supporting new ideas, and helping bring the vision to life.

Family members, friends, and fellow small business owners have also stepped in to lend advice and help wherever needed.

As opening day approaches, preparations continue with vendor spotlights on social media, finalizing the event layout, and making sure every detail is ready for visitors.

"Our biggest goal is making sure our vendors have an amazing day," Ashley said. "They're what make this market so special."

More Than a Vendor Market

While shopping will certainly be a major attraction, organizers say visitors can expect far more than rows of booths.

Live music will fill the farm throughout the day with performances by Angela Meyer and Shaun Easton, two musicians well known throughout the region.

And visitors should probably come hungry.

Food & Drinks

The festival's food and beverage lineup includes:

• Shadow Lake's "Can Stand" serving its signature mixed drinks, along with beer from Geneseo Brewing Company

• Geneseo Trap Team fundraiser

• Cynful Smokers BBQ

• Reap & Sow

• The Bean Field Coffee House

• The Main Squeeze Trailer, serving lemonade and apple cider drinks

• Just Us & Treats ice cream truck

• Plus baked goods and other packaged food vendors

Families will also find plenty of activities designed to keep everyone entertained.

Guests can enjoy:

• Pony rides

• Hayrack rides

• A mobile golf simulator

• Plenty of seating to relax and enjoy the scenery

• A chance to meet—and even snuggle—a Highland cow named Roy, who Ashley jokingly describes as one of the festival's biggest attractions.

"Shopping and eating... those two things paired with being outdoors—you really can't beat that," she said. "And, of course, snuggles with Roy."

Built for Families

As the mother of a one-year-old, Ashley says creating a family-friendly atmosphere wasn't just important—it was essential.

"This is definitely something I would want to take my own family to," she said.

Rather than rushing from one activity to the next, organizers hope families will slow down, spend time together, and simply enjoy a beautiful fall day on the farm.

"It's a place where people can spend the day together while enjoying everything that makes fall in the Midwest so special."

Supporting Small Businesses

At its heart, Red Barn Harvest Fest is also about strengthening local businesses.

Ashley hopes visitors discover new favorite makers and continue supporting them long after the festival ends.

She also hopes the event encourages visitors from outside the area to spend time exploring Geneseo after they leave the farm.

"I'd love to see people head into town afterward and support the amazing businesses we have here," she said.

For someone who has spent years building her own small business, creating opportunities for others carries special meaning.

"I can't wait for our vendors to have a successful day because supporting small businesses has always been so near and dear to my heart."

Hoping to Build a New Tradition

Ashley isn't just planning a one-time event.

From the beginning, the goal has been to establish Red Barn Harvest Fest as an annual tradition.

The festival is intentionally scheduled for the third Saturday in September, allowing families to know exactly when to mark their calendars each year.

"I hope someday people simply say, 'It's Red Barn Harvest Fest weekend,' and make plans around it the same way they do other annual traditions," she said.

A Fall Day Worth the Drive

For anyone still deciding whether to attend, Ashley has one final sales pitch.

"Did you see I mentioned a Highland cow?" she laughed. "Need I say more?"

Then she added:

"If you're looking for something fun to do this fall, this is it. It checks all the boxes—supporting small businesses, shopping, delicious food and drinks, live music, beautiful scenery, and activities for the whole family. It's the perfect opportunity to slow down, enjoy the season, go for a little drive, and experience everything that makes fall in the Midwest so special."

If the inaugural event lives up to Ashley's vision, Red Barn Harvest Fest won't simply be another stop on the fall calendar. It could become one of those traditions families circle every September—a place where local businesses thrive, friends gather, children make memories, and the harvest season is celebrated the way she has loved since childhood.

Follow the Red Barn Harvest Fest Facebook page for vendor features and updates.

Geneseo City Council to Consider Downtown Façade Grant, Police Board Appointments Tuesday

Deputy chief selection update and several major infrastructure projects are also on the agenda

The Geneseo City Council will meet Tuesday, August 11, with a downtown façade improvement grant, police board appointments and an update on the selection of a new deputy police chief among the items scheduled for consideration.

The regular meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

Katsch Boutique Façade Grant

Council members are scheduled to consider final approval of a façade improvement grant for Katsch Boutique, 113 N. State St.

The project carries an estimated total cost of $10,937.75 and is intended to address deteriorating façade boards, peeling paint and a torn awning. Plans include exterior painting, wood repairs and replacement of the awning.

The Committee of the Whole unanimously recommended the application at its July 28 meeting, with the City providing up to $5,468.88 through its 50/50 matching façade improvement program. The application now appears on Tuesday's consent agenda.

Deputy Police Chief Selection

Police Chief Casey Disterhoft is also scheduled to provide an update on the City's deputy chief selection process.

The update comes as the Police Department continues to work through staffing and recruitment efforts. At the July 14 meeting, Disterhoft and Mayor Sean Johnson discussed the nationwide shortage of law enforcement officers and the City's efforts to recruit qualified candidates.

Police Board Reappointments

Council will also consider Resolution R-26-15, which would reappoint two members to City police-related boards.

Jeffrey Lang is proposed for a three-year term on the Police Commission, running through August 11, 2029. Dan Schaaf is proposed for a two-year term on the Police Pension Board, running through August 11, 2028.

Two Wind Turbines Now Have Generator Problems

The City's regular project report contains a notable new development: both of Geneseo's wind turbines are now dealing with generator issues.

Wind Turbine #1 has been out of service since a generator failure April 30. The City submitted an insurance claim, and according to the latest report, Chubb has issued $855,151 toward generator replacement along with another $50,000 for lost revenue. The City has also received a quote to decommission the tower.

At the July 28 meeting, council members discussed whether to repair or decommission the 17-year-old turbine.

Since that discussion, Wind Turbine #2 experienced a generator failure July 30. City power plant staff testing indicated a short in the generator windings, with results sent to Vensys for analysis. An insurance claim is expected once those findings are verified.

No formal decision on either turbine appears on Tuesday's agenda.

Other City Projects Moving Forward

Council will receive updates on a number of ongoing infrastructure projects.

Among them, the City's North State Street reconstruction has reached another milestone. Road pavement is complete, while seven driveways, the remaining half of the sidewalks and landscaping were still outstanding as of August 7.

Work is also approaching on several other projects, including resurfacing of the City's pickleball courts during the week of August 17 and Chicago Street concrete patching, which has been delayed by weather.

The Ford Road sanitary sewer extension and lift station is moving toward construction as well. Bid documents have been released, with bids scheduled to open August 19 and council consideration of a contract anticipated at a special meeting August 25.

The City also continues to await Illinois Department of Natural Resources approval for the proposed pedestrian bridge at Oakwood Landing. The project is designed to provide a pedestrian crossing over Geneseo Creek near State Street and Oakwood Avenue.

Water System Planning Continues

Planning for Geneseo's future water supply also remains underway.

IMEG is developing three alternatives for a preliminary engineering report associated with the City's proposed sixth well and future water treatment facilities. Meanwhile, documents for Well #33 — the City's fifth well — are complete, with the project awaiting an Illinois Environmental Protection Agency permit.

Meeting Information

The Geneseo City Council meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 11, in the Council Chambers at 115 S. Oakwood Ave.

The meeting includes two opportunities for public comment. Under City ordinance, speakers may provide comments for up to three minutes, although the comment periods are not interactive question-and-answer sessions with council members or staff.

Also on the agenda: the Chamber of Commerce and engineering reports, election packet information from the City Clerk, the Treasurer's Report, Budget Book and capital asset presentations, and approval of approximately $561,335 in City and utility bills.

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Geneseo Celebrates 20 Years of Trains, Planes & Automobiles

Three-day festival returns September 10–12 with classic cars, WWII aircraft, model trains, canal tours, food trucks and family fun

The Geneseo Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of the 20th Annual Trains, Planes & Automobiles, taking place Thursday, September 10 through Saturday, September 12, 2026.

For twenty years, this unique festival has celebrated the machines that helped shape America's history while showcasing everything that makes Geneseo a great place to visit. From vintage aircraft and classic automobiles to operating model trains and historic canal tours, the three-day event offers something for visitors of every age.

The weekend culminates on Saturday with one of Illinois' premier classic car shows, hosted by the Maple City Cruisers, featuring hundreds of beautifully restored vehicles lining downtown Geneseo. Throughout the weekend, visitors can also enjoy food trucks, family activities, shopping, dining, and attractions throughout the community.

A longtime highlight of the festival is the VFW Salute to America on Saturday at noon. The patriotic ceremony features the VFW Color Guard, a tribute to our nation's veterans, and the crowd-favorite airplane flyover.

Event Highlights

Thursday, September 10

The festivities begin at Gen-Airpark with the annual Stearman Fly-In from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visitors can experience the sights and sounds of authentic WWII-era Stearman biplanes as they arrive throughout the afternoon.

(No pets, please.)

Friday, September 11

Friday offers two unique experiences.

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Guests can reserve a spot on the popular Cruise the Canal golf cart tours, exploring the history and engineering of the Hennepin Canal with guided tours departing at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., and 1:00 p.m. Reservations are required.

The Geneseo Model Railroaders will also host an Operating Model Train Display from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 154 E. Exchange Street, giving visitors an up-close look at detailed model railroads in action.

The evening wraps up with the TPA Pre-Party, hosted by Erdman Construction, beginning at 5:00 p.m. It's the perfect opportunity to kick off the weekend with food, drinks, and great company before Saturday's festivities.

Saturday, September 12

Downtown Geneseo comes alive from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with the signature Trains, Planes & Automobiles celebration.

Highlights include:

• Maple City Cruisers Car Show

• Operating Model Train Display

• Food Trucks

• Youth Pedal Car Parade

• VFW Salute to America with airplane flyover

• Trophy presentations and Chamber 50/50 raffle drawing

Local shops, restaurants, and businesses will be open throughout the day, making it easy for visitors to spend the entire day exploring everything downtown Geneseo has to offer.

"The 20th anniversary is a special milestone for this event," said Lindsie Akers, Executive Director of the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. "Trains, Planes & Automobiles brings together multiple community organizations, volunteers, and local businesses to create a weekend that's uniquely Geneseo. Whether you're a lifelong car enthusiast, fascinated by aviation or railroads, or simply looking for a fun family outing, there's something for everyone."

Admission to the festival is free, with the exception of the Cruise the Canal tours, which require advance registration and a ticket.

For a complete schedule of events and additional information, visit Geneseo.org/TPA or contact the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce at geneseo@geneseo.org

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Geneseo FFA Members Compete, Learn, and Lead Throughout July

Written by Hannah Wildemuth 

VoAg Fair

On July 2, members had the opportunity to compete at the Section 3 Vocational Agriculture Fair at the Cambridge Fairgrounds. They competed in various livestock and crop areas.

Members showed their animals based on their conformation, overall balance, muscling, and the way they move. They also competed in showmanship classes where they were judged on their ability to handle, control, and present their animal. The crops were judged using a separate criteria of quality, cleanliness, maturity, and the condition of the crop. They had fun showing off their projects!

Horse Fair

Annabelle, Hannah, and Ashlynn competed at the Section 3 VoAg Horse Fair at Black Hawk East. They had the opportunity to show off how well they can execute patterns, the conformation of their horses, and how well they can perform different gaits.

They started the morning by showing their horses in halter classes, presenting their horse to be inspected by a judge on their conformation and the quality of their movement. Afterwards they competed in pattern classes where they performed different transitions, pivots, and the ability to effectively communicate with their horse. They were in pleasure classes where they had to smoothly transition from the walk, trot, and canter. They had a great day competing!

Leadership Camp

Henry, Lydia, and Ella had a fun week at the Illinois FFA Leadership Camp. They learned how to be an effective leader and how to better communicate with others.

They were put into groups for the week where they met FFA members from all around the state. They worked together in these groups to complete an obstacle course that taught them about how effective communication is essential when working in a team. These groups also competed in ag olympics that taught them how trust is important when working with others and how different leadership styles impact a team.

FFA coverage is proudly sponsored by Valley Insurance.

New to Podcasts? Here's How to Listen to The Geneseo Current

By Sarah DeMaranville

If you've never listened to a podcast before, you're not alone.

Many people hear the word "podcast" and assume it's complicated or that you have to pay for it. The good news? It's actually one of the easiest ways to stay informed—and it's completely free.

Whether you're driving to work, making breakfast, walking the dog, or mowing the lawn, you can listen to local news, community stories, and local history wherever you are.

Here's how to get started.

What Is a Podcast?

Think of a podcast as a radio show you can listen to whenever you want.

Instead of tuning in at a specific time, new episodes are automatically delivered to your phone.

The Geneseo Current offers several free podcasts, including:

• State Street Newswire – A quick local news update each weekday morning.

• Hidden History – Stories from Geneseo's fascinating past.

• Sarah Says Things – A lighthearted look at everyday life.

If You Have an iPhone

Your iPhone already includes the Apple Podcasts app.

1. Open the Podcasts app.

2. Tap the Search icon.

3. Type Geneseo Current or the name of the show.

4. Tap the podcast.

5. Press Follow so new episodes automatically appear.

6. Tap any episode to start listening.

That's it!

If You Have an Android Phone

Most Android phones include a podcast app, but if yours doesn't, simply download Spotify from the Google Play Store.

1. Open Spotify.

2. Tap Search.

3. Type Geneseo Current or the name of the podcast.

4. Select the show.

5. Tap Follow.

6. Press Play on any episode.

You do not need a paid Spotify subscription to listen to podcasts.

Listening on Your Computer

You don't even need a phone.

Simply visit GeneseoCurrent.com, where podcast episodes are available directly on our website.

You can also visit Apple Podcasts or Spotify in your web browser and listen there.

Why Follow Instead of Just Listening?

Following a podcast means you'll never have to remember to look for new episodes.

Each new show automatically appears in your library.

It's free, takes just a few seconds, and you can stop following anytime.

Can I Listen in My Car?

Yes!

If your vehicle supports Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, your podcasts can play right through your vehicle's audio system.

Many newer vehicles also include Apple Podcasts or Spotify directly on the dashboard.

Do Podcasts Cost Anything?

No.

All Geneseo Current podcasts are completely free to listen to.

There are no subscriptions, no memberships, and no paywall.

Never Miss What's Happening

Whether you're interested in breaking local news, community events, local history, or cooking, podcasts make it easy to stay connected—even when you're too busy to read.

Simply open Apple Podcasts or Spotify, search for Geneseo Current, tap Follow, and we'll take it from there.