In 1978 David Begley, Art Powers, Greensburg Daily News publisher; & Herb Kohler, a local attorney, visited Versailles Pumpkin Show & brought home the idea for a festival. The Tree City Fall Festival began the next year, in 1979 and featured the Hoxie Brothers Circus.

Mr. Kohler served as the general chairman for the next five years. Herb passed away in August, 1985 and the festival committee chose to honor him by naming the parade the Herb Kohler Memorial Parade in honor of his service to the festival and community.

Bob Bostic became the general chairman of the festival in 1985. He was one of the original festival event chairpersons  when the festival started in 1979. Many changes have happened over the years, with the committee incorporating and  receiving the designation of a non profit corporation in 2006 and forming a Board of Directors.  Other chairs or board presidents and their terms include: Herb Kohler, 1979- 1984; Bob Bostic, 1985 - 1989; Joseph  Riddell, 1990; Bob Bostic, 1991 - 1997; Alan Coy, 1998-1999; Pam Jackson Abel, 2000; Bob Bostic, 2001 - 2004;  Mike Casuscelli, 2005 - 2006; Steven Teverbaugh, 2007 - 2009; and Laura Welborn, 2010  The festival was a 10-day event in 1987, 7 days in 1988, 4 days beginning in 1989 and 3 days starting in 1998.