Mural Unveilings Video

 Two new murals were unveiled at Saturday morning ceremonies behind the Giddy Up Coffee House in Folsom. Here's a video showing the two events. Click on the Play Triangle to view the video.

Mural Unveilings in Folsom, Sept. 27, 2025

To enlarge the video, after you start it click on the [ ] in the bottom right.

The programs were hosted by Frank Richerand and feature the work of artists Ben Bensen, Marita Gentry and Steve Tresvik.

Giddy Up Farmer's Market Sept. 27, 2025

 The Saturday Farmer's Market at Giddy Up Grounds in Folsom was extra special this past weekend, what with the First Annual Folsom Fall Festival going on and everything. A large number of vendors, arts and crafts artists, food trucks, and book authors were on hand for the occasion near the FAR Horizons Art Galley. 

Here are some photographs. Click on the images to make them larger. 

The band in The Paddock kept the music flowing.

Games in progress on the back deck. 

The Giddy Up Coffee Shop was hopping.

The food trucks were getting ready for lunch.

Author's Area

Over near Aunt Decie's Library Museum there were several booths set up where local authors were telling about their books and other publications.

Maurice LeGardeur was displaying his new Folsom postcard and framed poem.

'The Call" and "March 10th" books by authors

Cathy Schieffelin and Albert J. Hynes III

"The Second Coming" and "Secret Storm"

books by Larry Bergeron

"Bayou Fairies" by Cher Hunt and 

"Clyde, the Never Give Up Horse" by Deborah Young

Jerry Laiche, author of "Madam Langlois Legacy"

Aunt Decie's Library Museum

Over in the Giddy Up & Grow area, an outdoor lecture was in progress.

Old Tractor Display Entertains All Ages

 One of the most popular displays at the Folsom Fall Festival behind the town hall this past Saturday was the wide array of old farm tractors. The International Harvester Collectors Chapter 31 of Louisiana hosted the collection, telling festival visitors about the model years, power capabilities, and original purposes of the tractors. Some of the machines had been rescued from the weeds where they had sat for years, then fully restored to showroom condition. 

Click on the images to make them larger. 

Helping with the cooking chores was Mike Strain DVM, 

Commissioner of the Louisiana Dept. of Agriculture and Forestry

This 1950 model McCormick Farmall Cub was a favorite with visitors. 

The tractor in front was totally restored after found deserted in the brier patch. It only took three years to clean it up, strip the paint and refurbish the engine. 

Still runs and capable of many farm duties

The red tractor on the right was designed to tow items around docks and airports. It is reported that International Harvester made only about 20 of these units. 

The variety of tractors was a hit with the kids,

 both big and small.

Each tractor model had its own story, why it was designed the way it was, what it was capable of, and in many cases in the early years, purposefully configured to smoothly take over the duties formerly handled by horses and mules. 

One tractor, a 1946 John Deere multi-fuel tractor, was useful during World War II when gasoline rationing was in effect. A farmer could start the tractor with gasoline, then turn a few switches and continue to run on a variety of other petroleum fluids such as kerosene.

Meanwhile, on the opposite end of the park, was a display of modern tractors actually being used by the village on a regular basis....

Folsom's First Fall Festival 2025

 The Village of Folsom hosted its first annual Fall Festival this past Saturday, with dozens of tents set up in Moise Park behind town hall, with food vendors, informational displays, and fun things for kids (and adults) to do. 

Click on the images to make them larger. 

Paige Mizell, events coordinator for the Village, said the event included a homestead seminar in town hall, where knowledgeable speakers gave tips on a number of topics. There was a chili competition among 17 tents, a petting zoo, a mechanical bull riding challenge, a pumpkin patch, and a DJ providing the music. The farm tractor display was a favorite among attendees. 

"This is the first time we've done this, and we're just hoping people will come and enjoy it," Mizell stated. The weather was co-operating with blue skies and cooler temperatures. 

Healing With Horses tent

The Folsom library branch had a display of fun books and activities

The Knights of Columbus group from St. John's Catholic Church was one of the chili cook-off competitors

The petting zoo was a hit with the kids

Pony rides, petting zoo, and mechanical bull rides

The Homestead Conference featured five presentations. 

The Disc Jockey provided musical entertainment

Home Bank

The Pavilion was judging headquarters

LSU was on hand for tips about tea

The new playground got a good workout. It was put in the park earlier this year with a ribbon cutting on July 5. The park honors the Mathies family, in recognition of the sudden passing of Town Alderman Jill Mathies last December, who was active in providing play areas for the children of the town. 

The new park was built on land donated by the Moise family with state grants for fixing it up aided by State Representative Peter F. Egan, Sr.

Magnolia Park was in attendance 

Youngsters enjoyed picking the perfect pumpkin 

in the Pumpkin Patch

The Bogue Chitto State Park information tent was also on hand

Links of Interest:

Old Farm Tractors on Display

Giddy Up's Farmers Market