GREENFIELD — Around 40 artisan and craft vendors will fill the Franklin County Fairgrounds this weekend, along with a host of family-friendly activities, at the third annual Franklin County Fall Festival.
In addition to the 40 artisan and craft vendors, seven food vendors will be in attendance from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, with a rain date of Sunday, Oct. 18. Admission is free, though there is a minimum contribution of $5 per vehicle to park. Each year, proceeds raised from the event go to a different nonprofit, with the Meals on Wheels program offered through LifePath being the funding recipient this time around.
“It did really well the first year. The second year it was a little less [successful] ’cause there was a lot of other events going on that day,” recounted Festival Coordinator Sue Brulotte. “It’s a fundraiser every year. We pick a different charity to donate the proceeds to.”
Getting attendees into the Halloween spirit, the Roundhouse will be transformed into the Spooky Roundhouse, filled with Halloween decorations. A dance by the Hampden County Hexenbruts will further emphasize the Halloween feel, performing witch dances made famous by the Wolfshäger Hexenbrut of Germany.
New to the Franklin County Fall Festival is the Costume Pooch Parade, where attendees can dress their dogs in Halloween costumes and walk them around the fairgrounds. The parade will start at 4 p.m.
“People can bring their dogs, sign them up, dress them up and see if they can win,” Brulotte said.
Also new to the event this year is the Greenfield Police and Fire departments are sending representation for a touch-a-truck. In addition, the Greenfield Police Department will bring members of the K-9 unit for a demonstration of the animals and their handlers in action.
From when the event starts at noon and continuing until 4 p.m., a classic car show called the Roundhouse Rally will take place. Additionally, from noon to 2 p.m., younger Franklin County residents are invited to decorate their own power wheel, a battery-operated toy car, at the fairgrounds before taking part in a parade.
Festival attendees can also make their voices heard through a People’s Choice chicken wing judging, which starts at 1 p.m.
For more information on the Franklin County Fall Festival and a full list of events, visit tinyurl.com/ywkhrtpd. To donate directly to the Meals on Wheels program, visit tinyurl.com/2s3jwv9z.
“We always hope for good weather and a good turnout,” Brulotte said, “and again, our goal is to raise the money for the charity of our choice.”
