Fall sights flourish at Fall Fest
GROVE CITY — Memorial Park will be overflowing with the sights of fall this weekend, as the annual Grove City Fall Fest kicks off Saturday morning.
The festival, which is organized by a volunteer committee and also partners with Grove City Chamber of Commerce and the Grove City United Way, will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Grove City Memorial Park.
It will feature a farmers market, craft vendors, food and activities for all ages.
“It's just a fun day in the park,” said organizer Mary Kay Mattocks. “It's just a real simple festival, but it's got a lot for people. They can just walk around the park and enjoy.”
In an annual tradition for the Fall Fest, the event's Scarecrows in the Park contest began this past weekend.
The scarecrows are set up near the park's main entrance from West Main Street and will be judged before the festival kicks off.
Mattocks said winners in the contest — which is her favorite part of the festival — will be announced Saturday.
Mattocks said there are more than 20 scarecrows in this year's contest.
“They're definitely my favorite part. The originality of what people come up with just blows my mind,” Mattocks said. “It's just priceless.”
The United Way is also sponsoring pie baking and chili making contests this year, as well as a children's cupcake baking contest for ages 8 through 18. And mainstay events like free balloon sculptures for children, pumpkin painting and an annual raffle event will be back again for visitors to enjoy.
As part of its partnership with the Chamber of Commerce, Fall Fest also includes an annual Great Balls of Fall raffle at the rear of the park.
The raffle includes the release of thousands of golf balls through an obstacle course with numbers corresponding to raffle tickets. Those that finish first will receive cash prizes.
Mattocks said that the demolition of one of the park's shelters this year — it is slated to be replaced — means the festival is more consolidated this year than it has been in years past.
“Everything will be in one location this year,” she said. “We have plenty of yardsalers and crafters, and plenty of food as well.”
Fall-themed food offerings include locally crafted caramel apples and Grace Methodist Church's pumpkin ice cream, Mattocks said.
And while this year is the same Fall Fest visitors have grown to know and love, she said that organizers are working to make next year, which will be the 20th Fall Fest event, something special.
“We're kind of gearing up,” Mattocks said. “Next year will be our 20th year, and we're planning some bigger things.”
