The air was crisp, the leaves were turning, and the laughter was contagious at New Hope’s annual Fall Festival this year. What started decades ago as a simple gathering has grown into one of the most cherished traditions in our community—a day where individuals, staff, and friends come together for pure, unfiltered fun. And this year? It was nothing short of magical.

From the moment guests arrived, the energy was electric. Our individuals and staff danced like nobody was watching, yelled B-I-N-G-O with glee, and got creative with fall-themed crafts that sparkled with glitter and personality. The costume parade and contest stole the show, with superheroes, witches, and clever DIY creations strutting proudly down the hallway. And let’s not forget the food—yummy pizza from Domino’s and sweet treats from Crumbl Carmel and Crave Cookies – Fishers kept everyone fueled for a day of celebration.

New Hope’s Aktion Club pie-in-the-face fundraiser. For just $1, brave participants got the chance to smash a creamy pie right into the faces of smiling Aktion Club members—and oh, did the crowd cheer! Every splat raised money for a great cause, with all proceeds going directly to Wheeler Mission. It’s moments like these that remind us: kindness and fun go hand in hand.

This festival isn’t just an event—it’s the one day of the year when everyone from New Hope gathers in one place. Individuals from all programs, staff from every corner, volunteers, and #TeamNewHope unite for a day of connection, celebration, and community. And this year, it truly felt like magic.

None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our incredible sponsors:

• The Larsen Family – Board member Joshua and his wife, Paige
• Michelle Wilson
• Thrivent
• Domino’s
• Meijer
• 360 Photo
• Kiwanis of Northwest Indianapolis
• Crumbl Carmel
• Crave Cookies – Fishers

A heartfelt thank you to every volunteer and staff member who poured their time, energy, and love into making this event spooktacular. You turned a simple Thursday into a memory that will last a lifetime.

Here’s to decades more of Fall Festival fun—because at New Hope, every year just gets better.

See you next year!

Check out the album here. (Additional pictures will be added as they are received from the event, so check back for more pictures!)