Zelienople Fall Fest returns for 41st year
A yearly fall tradition is returning for its 41st year as Zelienople prepares for its annual Fall Fest.
The event will take place from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 10, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11, along Spring and Main streets.
The weekend will kick off Friday with a tailgate zone in the Spring Street parking lot featuring a musical performance by Aaron Haben Music.
Saturday and Sunday will feature similar schedules, with a merchandise area, craft and food vendors, Bounce Boulevard and the tailgate zone all opening at 10 a.m. Both days will also feature free tractor-pulled wagon rides and sidewalk sales.
In addition to the activities taking place throughout the weekend, Saturday will feature Boots-on-the-Ground line dancing from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., a chili cook-off and a family movie night showing of “The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
The chili cook-off will take place from noon to 3 p.m. in the tailgate zone. According to the festival's Facebook page, it doesn't matter where attendees fall on the spice spectrum, as the competition will feature everything from mild to wild.
For those competing in the cook-off, the entry fee is $10. The first-place winner will receiving $300. Attendees can also purchase a $10 taster ticket, which includes samples of all the chili, one beverage sample from Papa Joe's or ShuBrew, and a People's Choice vote.
Sunday will feature a car cruise from noon to 4 p.m. and Zelie's Sweetest Baking Competition from 1 to 4 p.m.
The competition will feature three categories: pies, cookies and breads. The top prize in each category is $50, while a $5 taster ticket will be available for those who want to sample the entries. Tickets for the baking competition are limited, so those interested in competing are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.
