This year’s Winchester Homecoming Festival crowned their Queen and Court on Friday, August 22. From left, 2025 Queen Aubrey Miller; First Runner-Up Addison Moran: and Second Runner-Up Bethany Gibson. (Photo by Ryan Applegate)
The Saturday night Historic Ghost Ride was once again a popular attraction at the Winchester Homecoming Festival. (Photo by Patsy Roberts)
Main Street in Winchester was filled with vendors during this year’s Homecoming Festival. (Photo by Patsy Roberts)
Honoring our veterans was one of the central themes of this year’s Winchester Homecoming Festival. (Photo by Patsy Roberts)
The Antique Tractor Show is always a big hit at the Winchester Homecoming Festival. (Photo by Patsy Roberts)
By Ryan Applegate
People’s Defender
The 2025 Winchester Homecoming Festival brought neighbors and visitors together on Main Street for a weekend of celebration, tradition, and community pride. For three days the festival grounds were filled with music, contests, food, and laughter as Winchester once again showed why this annual gathering is such an important part of village life.
The opening ceremonies on Friday evening set the tone for the weekend, followed by the Queen Contest, one of the festival’s most anticipated traditions. Under a bright summer sky, three young women walked the stage in sparkling dresses as friends and family cheered them on. When the winners were announced, the crowd responded with loud applause and plenty of smiles. Aubrey Miller was crowned the 2025 Winchester Homecoming Festival Queen, with Addison Moran named First Runner-Up and Bethany Gibson Second Runner-Up. Afterward, Aubrey shared how much the honor meant to her. “It feels amazing,” she said. “I just love this town, grown up here, been a part of the festival for years, so I love it.” She added that over the next year she looks forward to meeting more people in Winchester, even in a place where “everyone knows everyone.”
Friday evening continued with music, food, and activities that kept the festival atmosphere lively. Families gathered along Main Street to catch up with friends, enjoy entertainment, and take part in the games and events that have become festival favorites.
Saturday was packed with activities for all ages. Main Street filled with the sights and sounds of tractor pulls, the laughter of children at contests and games, and the music of local performers. Quilts and military photos were on display at the church, drawing visitors interested in Winchester’s history. From the Baby and Toddler Contest to the Duck Dump raffle and the basketball tournament, there was something happening for everyone.
Music was a highlight again, with performances from Noreen’s School of Dance, the Liberty Cornet Band, and local musicians who brought out strong hometown support. As the evening went on, visitors had the chance to enjoy both lively entertainment on stage and a slower-paced look at history with the cemetery Ghost Ride. Hearing the stories of Winchester’s past while riding through the old part of the cemetery gave many attendees a chance to reflect on the people who helped shape the community.
Sunday brought a quieter but meaningful close to the festival. Church services and gospel music offered a thoughtful beginning, while the parade filled Main Street with color, laughter, and plenty of waving from floats and marching groups. This year’s parade was especially memorable as members of the Cameron-Ellis American Legion Post 242 served as Grand Marshals, honoring veterans whose service continues to be celebrated in Winchester. The festival officially wrapped up with the final raffle drawing, leaving many already looking ahead to next year.
Organizers expressed their gratitude for the weekend’s success. Festival President Patsy Roberts said, “We had a great weekend with our veterans and appreciate them coming. We could not have asked for better weather. A big thanks to all of our entertainment, vendors, and the people that came. We could not have been able to do this without our many volunteers. Everything turned out very nice.”
Committee member Joyce Porter agreed, calling it one of the most successful festivals since she and Roberts became involved. “Honoring our veterans throughout the weekend was a wonderful way to show our appreciation for their service,” she said. “We had lots of visitors to the cemetery during the ghost ride. It took a lot of hard work from our volunteers and donors who made it possible for this community event.”
From the crowning of Queen Aubrey Miller on Friday evening to the applause for veterans during Sunday’s parade, this year’s Winchester Homecoming Festival was filled with moments that reflected the spirit of the community. It was a weekend of fun, fellowship, and pride in Main Street Winchester, and one that will be remembered for years to come.
