Staff at a women’s residential treatment facility plan to host their second-annual Fall Festival this weekend as a way to raise money for women in recovery.

The festival will take place this year on Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 812 Bates Canyon Road.

This year, the festival will include a petting zoo, more than 40 vendors, carnival games, pony rides, a camel, a capybara experience, a pirate ship, face painting, and drawings for items, according to Jillene Muller, director at 180 Ministries. Food at the event will include several food trucks, smores, popcorn, and candy. During the event, a plant sale will be held, and the facility’s pumpkin patch will be open. Larger pumpkins will cost 75 cents a pound, and small pumpkins will be sold for $3–5, depending on size.

Those who attend the event will have the option to purchase a punch pass for $30, which will include 10 punches. Outside of food trucks, vendors, the plant sale, and pumpkins, attendees will visit each activity or experience for a few punches off of their pass. For example, carnival games will require three punches off of the pass. The petting zoo will require one punch, and pony rides will require two punches, Muller said.

Last year, during the first Fall Festival, between 3,000 and 5,000 people attended the event, which made parking in the area difficult. This year, a parking area will be open near the 180 Ministries building, which will make parking more convenient.

“We will have parking across the street,” Muller said. “There is a dirt road directly across from our driveway. It has been widened, and they graveled it… We will also be offering a shuttle to bring people up if they park further down.”

This year, staff are expecting around 5,000 people to attend the festival.

“This will be bigger and better than it was last year,” Muller said. “There is going to be a lot to participate in. We’ve also moved up the festival by a few weeks this year. So far, the weather is looking good for the event.”

All of the money collected from the event will go toward helping women in recovery.

“We don’t want finances to be the barrier to receiving help,” Muller commented.

Costumes are welcome at the festival.

Muller wants to thank those who attended the festival last year and encourage them to attend this year.

180 Ministries Pumpkin Patch will also be open Saturdays and Sundays throughout the month of October from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn more, visit 180ministries.net/pumpkinpatch.

180 Ministries is a women’s rehabilitation center and an outgrowth of Adult and Teen Challenge. The home includes a dormitory, along with a spacious kitchen, firepit, porch, gym, and private areas for residents.

The center originally opened in 2001 in Tooele and took in teenage girls. In May 2022, staff transitioned to helping women caught in substance abuse, trafficking, depression, and other life-controlling issues.

Typically, residents stay at the facility for around a year, but in some cases, they stay longer, even up to two years. During their program, residents participate in a faith-based rehab program. Although the curriculum is faith-based, those attending don’t have to have any religious affiliation.

To apply for the program or to donate, visit 180ministries.net.

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