Paradise Educated: Paradise Fall Festival photos by Devin Strecker

243951 9/25/10
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Devin Tait Strecker sends us the following photos. He says:

"I had such a great time at the first Paradise Fall Festival last year and I think it's such a great idea for the town. It's a really good time for people to come home and spend some time remembering the old days, and catch up with old friends. This year I wanted to help out more, so my family and I planned a pre-party in the old gas station. Quentin Maupin owns it now and he did so much work getting it ready for us, and I know a lot of other people pitched in and helped too. Todd Schneider made a delicious taco dinner for us and it was a really fun night.

The next day, some of us Hendershott descendants went out to the "old Hendershott quarter," where my great-great grandparents, James and Sarah Hendershott, settled in the late 1800s. My great-grandpa George Hendershott grew up there with his two siblings. He married Ida Saum, whose family ran the Hotel Paradise.

The 2nd Annual Paradise Fall Festival was on Saturday night. It started with activities for kids like a money dig, train rides, petting zoo, a clown, and a corn maze. There was a cupcake stand with some delicious treats. Then the Paradise Festival staff served a delicious BBQ dinner with smoked pulled pork, beans, coleslaw, hot dogs with sauerkraut, and more! Finally, The Prophets reunited once again to play a collection of great songs that we all enjoyed. I got to play drums on "Johnny B. Goode" so that Danny could come to the front and sing. This was a lifelong dream of mine to play with the Prophets, which includes my uncle Ronnie, so I was very happy! The whole night was amazing and I can't wait for the 3rd annual festival!"

Ronnie Hendershott, Brandon Strecker, and Devin Tait Strecker warming up for their Paradise Festival Pre-Party, held at the old gas station on Main Street on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 (photo courtesy of Caitlyn Hendershott).

Cousins Caitlyn Hendershott and Travis Angel by the Paradise Watertower (photo courtesy of Caitlyn Hendershott).

Ronnie Hendershott, Brandon Strecker and Devin Tait Strecker performing at the Paradise Festival Pre-Party (photo courtesy of Caitlyn Hendershott).

Glen Strecker and sister Mary Anderson in the old Margaret Maupin home.

The old Brown store is currently for sale.

Looking north up main street towards the watertower.

Looking south down main street.

The old service station, first ran by Helscher and then Thompson, currently used as a shop by Quentin Maupin.

Paradise festival Pre-Party at the old service station.

Danny Hoisington, Glen Strecker, Travis Angel, Caitlyn Hendershott, and Andrea Angel at the Paradise Festival Pre-Party.

Penny, the Hoisington's dog, on main street.

Weather vane on top of the old service station.

Carter Popejoy, FHSU student, interviews Andrea Herreman at the pre-party.

Brandon Strecker and cousin Caitlyn Hendershott at the pre-party.

The Paradise Festival pre-party.

Hendershott descendants and family explore the old James and Sarah Hendershott farm southwest of Paradise.

Searching around the old Hendershott farm.

Relic found on the old Hendershott farm.

View of Paradise from the old Hendershott farm. The watertower would not have been there back when James and Sarah Hendershott and their children lived here.

Walking around the old Hendershott farm.

Then and now of the old Hotel Paradise, owned and operated by the Saum family (notice the tree is still there!). George Hendershott, son of James and Sarah Hendershott, married Ida Saum, daughter of Randolph Foster and Mary Saum. This is where our Hendershott family descended from.