Behind the scenes of the Dale Fall Fest is a dedicated, all-volunteer board that works year-round to bring the festival to life. These neighbors donate their time, energy, and unique expertise to handle everything from logistics to your favorite food stands—all to create a spectacular weekend for our families and visitors. Get to know the team that is proud to keep our favorite small-town tradition thriving each September.

Lisa (McIntosh) Rush has served on the Dale Fall Fest Board for three years, though her history with the festival goes back to her childhood. Five years ago, she took over as Chair of the Pronto Pup Stand—the exact same stand where she worked her first shift in seventh grade. For Lisa, the festival has always felt like stepping into a Hallmark movie. She loves watching the community come together every September to create a memorable tradition, raise money for local projects, and celebrate small-town pride.

Christi Lee joined the Dale Fall Fest Board in 2011 and currently serves as the Co-Treasurer. Before joining the committee officially, she spent many years volunteering, which gave her a deep appreciation for the hard work that goes into making the event a success. Christi’s favorite part of the Dale Fall Fest is watching friends, families, and neighbors unite to celebrate the unique small-town traditions that make the community so special.

Jamie joined the Dale Fall Fest Board in 2024 after her husband, Jacob Winkler, took over the Winkler Order. Her involvement with the Dale Fall Fest began long before that—starting in grade school, when she volunteered at the St. Joseph Church Dime Toss and Ring Toss booths. Over the years, Jamie has continued to give back by volunteering in the Pronto Pup stand, helping in the Fall Fest office, and assisting with a variety of other activities throughout the festival. She is excited to continue serving the community as a member of the Dale Fall Fest Board.

Kathy Reinke’s Dale Fall Festival journey spans a lifetime, from roller skating in childhood parades to chairing the caramel apple stand. Since joining the board in 1999, she has proudly served to support the ultimate small-town fest that brings everyone “home.” Her dedication to local commerce and community shines through her role as the Executive Director of the Spencer County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Festival commitment is a true Reinke family tradition: her husband, Dan, has been a long-time volunteer; their daughter, Alex, is a former board member; and their son, Case, recently joined the board after years of helping out. That’s three generations of dedication to this labor of love!

Hope Davis joined the Dale Fall Fest committee in 2016 following her reign as the 2015 Miss Dale Fall Fest. She currently serves as the Marketing Chair, managing the festival’s social media, website communications, and overall promotional efforts—skills she also uses daily as the owner and photographer behind HD Photography. Hope’s connection to the event runs deep; growing up, she spent years volunteering alongside her aunt, longtime board member Candy Wilkerson, as well as serving at the Pronto Pup and Presbyterian Church stands. Her favorite part of the festival is seeing people from all backgrounds come together to celebrate, and she is proud to help promote a tradition that brings so much joy and pride to the community.

Josh has proudly been a member of the Dale Fall Fest Committee for the past year, after being encouraged to join by several committee members. Before officially stepping into his role, he volunteered and helped with festival activities beginning in 2018. Joining the committee has given Josh a great opportunity to give back to the community, help continue a beloved hometown tradition, and contribute to making the Dale Fall Fest a massive success for everyone to enjoy.

Jeff Wagner resides in Santa Claus with his wife, Courtney, and their three sons: Levi, Tucker, and Logan. He began volunteering for the Dale Fall Fest in 2011, later joining the committee in 2023. He stepped into his committee role to ensure this cherished family tradition would continue to thrive for years to come.

Amy Fetter resides in Mariah Hill with her husband, Kenny, and their son, Korden. Her history with the festival began in 2018 when she started running the Dale Fall Fest 5K, and she officially joined the committee in 2024. Amy stepped into her role on the team out of a desire to give back and support her community, and she is proud to help keep this hometown tradition going strong.

Luke Pund, an electrician with Pund Electric, joined the Dale Fall Fest board in 2025 and began volunteering in 2024. Having grown up in nearby Mariah Hill, Luke attended the festival for years before stepping up to manage its electrical needs. He takes great pride in his work and enjoys supporting the community. Knowing how much effort goes on behind the scenes to bring the public together, Luke is honored to help power this great local tradition.

Crowned Miss Spencer County in 1987, Sarah Maddox-Barnett has judged pageants and coached contestants for over 20 years. She and her husband, Kerry, reside in Santa Claus and share a blended family of six adult children. As a Mary Kay Independent Sales Director for 24 of her 27 years in business, Sarah believes that if we treat others how we want to be personally treated, the world becomes a kinder, more joyful place. She loves mentoring women and young ladies to embrace their God-given gifts, be their best selves, and help others do the same.

Jacob is a REALTOR® with Key Associates and has served on the Dale Fall Fest committee since 2023, managing food booth ordering and assisting in the office. Driven by a lifelong passion for community service, his festival roots run deep—from walking in childhood parades to selling popcorn at the church stand. He has also volunteered with Kiwanis Club Bingo since 2018. Jacob loves watching the festival grow each year and is most excited to introduce upgraded entertainment and fresh food options to the community.

Torrey joined the Dale Fall Fest committee at the beginning of 2026, after Hanke Studios provided photography coverage for the 2025 festival. He joined to help better align Hanke Studios’ coverage with the planning of the event and provide meaningful coverage for the community. Torrey is looking forward to helping celebrate Dale Fall Fest, capturing the moments that matter, and sharing the story of the weekend.

Sarah joined the Dale Fall Fest committee at the beginning of 2026, after helping Hanke Studios provide photography coverage for the 2025 festival. A Mariah Hill native and longtime Dale Fall Fest attendee, she joined to help connect Hanke Studios’ work with event planning and provide better coverage for the community. Sarah is looking forward to celebrating the people, traditions, and moments that make the festival special.

Case Reinke joined the Dale Fall Fest board this past year, continuing a proud family tradition of festival involvement. Driven by a love for his community and a desire to help out as much as possible, he is eager to contribute to the town’s favorite weekend. Case is most looking forward to running the various tournaments throughout the festival and making them as fun and competitive as possible for all the participants.

A lifelong resident of Dale, John has attended every Dale Fall Fest since 1972, with the exception of five years spent away in Terre Haute and Evansville during college. Born and raised in the community, he joined the festival committee around 2007 upon taking over as the town’s park director. In this role, John manages and maintains the grounds at the town park, ballfields, and community center, ensuring the festival facilities are always in peak condition for the community to enjoy.

In his role as Town Marshal, Scott lends his expertise to the committee by coordinating street closures and traffic management, playing a vital part in keeping the Dale Fall Fest safe and seamless for everyone.