Winchester Community Begins Planning 2026 Homecoming Festival, Shares Local News

Planning is underway for the 2026 Winchester Homecoming Festival, with organizers calling on residents to get involved from the ground up. "Our first meeting is scheduled for March 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the Village Hall," the notice reads. "We invite anyone who is interested in being part of the planning for entertainment, vendors, or other positive suggestions."

The March 19 date carries a packed schedule for Winchester. W3CU Church's Compassion Closet food and clothing pantry runs that same evening from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., meaning pantry visitors and volunteers could transition directly to the Homecoming planning meeting. Those who want to help with the pantry itself are asked to arrive at W3CU by 3:30 p.m. on Thursdays to assist with serving.

W3CU's Compassion Closet operates on the third Thursday of each month. Anyone unable to attend during regular pantry hours can call the church at (937) 695-0025 to schedule an appointment. Clothing donations are accepted on Tuesday mornings from 9 to 11 a.m. Updates on pantry operations are posted to the Compassion Closet Facebook page.

Earlier that week, on Tuesday, March 17 at 6:30 p.m., W3CU Church will host the Winchester Community Prayer meeting. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Looking further ahead, the next Winchester Village Council meeting falls on Tuesday, April 14. Those meetings are open to the public. Anyone wishing to place an item on the agenda should call Ashley at the Town Hall, (937) 695-0880, before 3 p.m. on the Friday preceding the meeting.

Community members with news or notices for the Winchester Happenings column should submit information by Sunday evening. Submissions can be made by calling (937) 205-2309 and leaving a message, or by email through the People's Defender, located at 206 N. Pleasant Street in West Union, reachable by phone at 937-544-2391.