Phoenix Bender, left, of Allison Park and Kirsten Prentice of Gibsonia participate in one of the many activities for kids at last year's Mars Applefest. This year's festival takes place Saturday.

MARS — As the air turns crisp and leaves turn red, Mars is preparing for Applefest.

“(Applefest) provides a showcase for local businesses,” said Brian Fleeson, festival organizer, “as well as bringing people in to Mars that are unfamiliar with the town.”

At its core, Applefest is a street fair that sets up every year on Grand Avenue the first Saturday of October.

But the seeds for the festival were first planted 35 years ago. Mars, according to Mayor Gregg Hartung, used to be known for an apple orchard. The orchard disappeared with development, but the tradition of celebrating the harvest with art, music, activities and food still remains.

“It really makes (our) small town walkable,” Hartung said. “It's really special.”

“It is known as a street fair celebrating the fall (harvest time) with fall foods,” Fleeson said.

Three of the best examples of this are apple pies, dumplings and kettle corn, served all day to visitors. Entertainment is scheduled throughout the day and some vendors host games and activities.

Traditionally, Applefest is organized by the Rich-Mar Rotary Club.

But sometimes, traditions change.“This year, it is the satellite club organizing,” Fleeson said. “This was chosen as an activity that the satellite club could do in order to help get us on our feet.”Applefest planning starts in March, when potential vendors begin submitting space applications. Although Fleeson has no way to estimate the number of Applefest visitors each year, he said there are “a lot.”Hartung believes the festival draws 3,000 to 4,000 visitors, if the weather is good.“It's become such a staple,” Hartung said. “It's something that people look forward to.”“Pretty much everybody in town ... will be there,” Fleeson said, “along with people from the area.”This year's Applefest runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.Information about the event is available at marsapplefest.com. Questions can be emailed to marsapplefest@yahoo.com. The Rich-Mar Rotary Club is on Facebook.

WHAT: Mars ApplefestWHEN: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. SaturdayWHERE: Downtown Mars on Grand AvenueEvents and activitiesVendors will be set up on Grand Avenue and offer everything from food to crafts and art to activities.Scheduled events take place on the main stage and include:10 a.m. — Gospel Garage Band11 a.m. — Cranberry Men's ChorusNoon — Mars Stars Jump Rope Team1 p.m. — Dizzy Whoosh Band2 p.m. — Young Brothers Tae Kwon-Do demonstration team

Noah Negley having fun in a bounce house at Woodland Valley church at Mars Applefest on Saturday, 10/1/16