Elkhorn monastery celebrates 70th annual Fall Festival

ELKHORN, Neb. (WOWT) - A long-standing tradition in Elkhorn marked a major milestone Sunday as Mount Michael Benedictine Abbey hosted its 70th annual Fall Festival.

The Abbey has been part of the community since the 1950s, and not long after the monks arrived, they started the festival to bring people together and raise support for their mission.

“In those early years when the seminary was first underway, the monks wanted to gain some support from the local community,” said Abbot Michael Liebl.

“Especially in South Omaha, there were many Europeans who had Catholic backgrounds, and they suggested to put on a festival.”

That idea has grown into the Abbey’s largest fundraiser of the year, helping sustain both the monastery and Mount Michael’s college-prep high school.

“Ever since then, we’ve had this festival to support the school and the monastery because when it first started, things like the building weren’t paid for, so there was a lot of need,” Liebl said. “And they were trying to keep the cost of education as minimal as possible.”

Admission remains free, but money spent on food, games, and crafts supports the Abbey’s mission, which is rooted in five Benedictine values: community, hospitality, integrity, moderation, and service.

“I think this is terrific,” said Head of School David Peters. “We’re part of a community, that’s one of our Benedictine values. Just to see them out here and past students, people talking to our alumni, it’s really great.”

The Fall Festival featured inflatables, a pumpkin patch, flea market vendors, food trucks, and even a foam party.

Organizers say the event isn’t just about tradition — it’s about ensuring Mount Michael can continue serving the community for another 70 years.