The 2023 Bell Tower Festival in Jefferson is in the books. 

The Opening Ceremonies were held on Friday night, where a new bell tower chime was unveiled. Peg Raney is the music committee chair for the Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower and she announced the winner of the Jefferson Chimes contest was Jennifer Powers as the fanfare played on the bell tower to call everyone when there is a special event happening. Also, during the Opening Ceremonies was the formal recognition of Julie Fie, the 1977 Jefferson High School graduate, and this year’s Tower of Fame Award winner. Fie told Raccoon Valley Radio how much this award meant to her.

“Anybody that knows me (knows) I’m a hard worker, I have all the same values that all Iowans do have. But there’s so many things that you give up and some many sacrifices that you have to make that to be appreciated for the career that I had when it’s all over and I’m off the merry-go-round really feels wonderful.” 

Additionally, there were 140 people that attended the Thursday Downtown Dinner fundraiser and on Saturday for the Ding Dong Dash, Tyler Sullivan and Hailey Larson each won first place in the 10k for the males and females, respectively. There were 73 parade entries and of those Abundant Life Ministries Church won “best overall” entry, Home State Bank won “best thematic” for the festival’s theme of “Live Your Legacy,” Tom’s Taxi received best commercial and Jefferson Public Library earned best non-commercial. 

Bell Tower Festival Committee Chair Philip Heisterkamp acknowledged everyone who played a part in helping to put on this year’s festival.

“Thank you to the Bell Tower Festival Executive Team, thank you to the festival volunteers, and thank you to our sponsors who are really driving this thing and making sure that the festival can be just as good next year, as well as this year.”

Heisterkamp added other “thank yous” to the city of Jefferson crews, Greene County Secondary Roads Department, and law enforcement for their roles in setting up and tearing the festival, as well as keeping everyone safe for an enjoyable time. Pictures from the festival can be found by clicking here.