Main Street in Butler was busy with vendors and attendees at the 2023 Butler Fall Festival. Butler Eagle File Photo.

A full fall day of fun is coming to Butler this September as the city hosts its annual Butler Fall Festival.

The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, on Main Street in Butler. It features plenty of fall fun for children and adults, including food vendors, arts and crafts vendors, live music, a classic car cruise and a Kids’ Zone.

“You can expect a little bit of everything,” said Dahn Kilroy, vice president of the festival's board of directors. “Great food, local artisans and craft vendors, live music, a classic car cruise and a Kids’ Zone, which we changed up a bit this year.”

According to Kilroy, for the last couple of years, the festival welcomed Planting for the Future. This year includes Kids Markets with over 30 vendors.

“They joined us last year, but with the last-minute changes, we didn't get to give them much spotlight,” she said. “So, this year we welcomed them back to be our big featured attraction in the Kids’ Zone.”

The festival has also expanded this year after the city limited the festival to Jefferson Street last year. This year, the event is returning to its normal footprint, with all of Main Street being used. Due to a strong response from vendors, two additional blocks have been added, allowing space for 60 more vendors.

“We’re most excited about seeing how big this year’s festival has become with the addition of two more blocks and 60 vendors, and we’re completely sold out,” Kilroy said. “It’s exciting to see so many local businesses want to be part of it. But most of all, we can’t wait to see everyone come downtown, enjoy the day and celebrate our community together.”

For the first time, the festival also features official Butler Fall Festival T-shirts, which will be available for purchase at the festival booth on Vogely Street.

Other activities will include bounce houses, a barrel train, face painting, games and a petting zoo.

Featured food vendors will include The Cookie Table Baking Co., Diamond Joe's Food Truck Company, Bebang's Filipino Food, Grow Forth and Prosper Farm, Recon Brewing and Roger’s Cuisine.

According to Kilroy, the festival is a labor of love that takes a lot of work to organize, but is worth it in the end.

“The festival is planned and organized by a board of four women, and we each bring different strengths and ideas to the table,” she said. “There are a lot of moving pieces. We’re constantly communicating, planning and checking things off the list. It’s definitely a team effort, and while there are a lot of long days and lots of details behind the scenes.”

Main Street will be closed to traffic starting at 8 a.m. Parking options will include side streets and the parking garage next to the Butler County Courthouse, as well as the Centre City Parking Garage behind Rite Aid. The Diamond Street Parking Lot behind Diamond Park and the Butler City Building on W. North Street will also be open.

“The Butler Fall Festival is a chance to get out, enjoy the beautiful fall weather, support local businesses and the Butler community,” Kilroy said. “Plus, it’s free to attend.”