A Visitor Comes Long Distance to Enjoy Fall Fest
Author: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Reporter
A Visitor Comes Long Distance to Enjoy Fall Fest
Nancy Marks
MT43 News Reporter
Ken Snyder likes to dance. He has been coming to Fall Fest to dance since 2011, except during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ken drives from his home in Joplin, Montana, up on the highline near Shelby, to Townsend every year. Not only does he love Fall Fest, Ken feels right at home in Townsend. Now a retired accountant, Ken worked as a driller in the oil fields in Eastern Montana. After an accident left him unable to work, he received an accounting degree from Clarion University in Pennsylvania. “At one time I even owned the Joplin bar,” he said.
He began coming to Fall Fest when his wife googled “fall festival” and Townsend’s Fall Fest came up. They had been coming ever since. Even after his wife passed away, he continued to make the 4-hour drive to enjoy the music and the people.
Ken’s deep brown eyes, sparkly white beard and friendly demeanor belie the loss of his wife. He said they used to stay at The Mustang Motel, but after he started coming down alone, he met Townsend resident Ward Barbe, who invited him to stay at Barbe’s house. Now he really enjoys the camaraderie and hospitality he feels when he comes to town.
Those feelings made him tear up Saturday night when he related this story: Three guys approached him to say hello, to welcome him to the event. Yes, they had seen him here before and were surprised, but so glad he had come. They talked awhile. As they began to walk away, one of them slipped something in his pocket. It was a hundred-dollar bill. Just their way of saying they admired him and that he is special.
Ken concluded while attending Fall Fest is fun and exciting, in his case, coming to the event has been a lifesaver for him. “Coming here got me through hard times,” he said.
Article Images
Click on Image Thumbnail(s) to view fullsize image
PhotoCredit: Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
Image 1 Caption: Ken Snyder, from Joplin, dancing with the ladies Friday night.
Nancy Marks, MT43 News Photographer
