Fall Fest: Family friendly event adds cruise-in, more vendors

If admiring the autumn colors is on your seasonal checklist, one area festival will capture that and more.

The colorful backdrop of Snyder Park will enhance the many activities of the fourth Fall Fest, from pumpkins to hay rides, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13.

Fall Fest is free and family-friendly. It is presented by the Hollandia Gardens Association.

Fest organizer Kent Sherry is always amazed when people tell him they didn’t know the wonders nestled in the park. Hollandia has spent the past few years building Snyder Park Gardens and Arboretum, which make strides each year.

“Snyder Park has evolved,” said Sherry, who is also on Hollandia’s board. “The garden has been a big positive. There is some great vision out there.”

The gardens will be part of a hay ride tour at the event, giving a history of the area and updates on what’s going in over the 25-acre area. Sherry estimates the area is about 60 percent complete and is a work in progress.

The Fest puts a big emphasis on the little ones with a variety of kids’ games. There will be pumpkin bowling, pumpkin painting and face painting along with 1,000 free pumpkins to be given away.

“From the very outset we have wanted to increase the kids’ area,” said Sherry.

There will be plenty for the adults, too. A cruise-in has been added for the first time; Sherry is hoping for 100 cars at least and there is no entry fee.

The vendor area will also expand from about 45 in past years to 60, as well as the food court area, which will feature seven or eight varieties

Refurbishment of the clubhouse will also be on the upcoming agenda, and visitors will find a new, expanded parking area and repaved roads.

Sherry said any proceeds raised will go back to the garden efforts. It’s funded without tax money and is volunteer run.

“It’s a nice event for the community, a place where people can walk to on what we hope will be a nice fall day,” said Sherry.


HOW TO GO

What: Fall Fest 2018

Where: Snyder Park, 1900 Park Road, Springfield

When: Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Admission: Free

More info: hollandiagardensassociation.org/

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