(Posted Oct. 12, 2023)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
All sorts of autumn and Halloween themed activities are planned for West Jefferson’s Fall Festival, set for 5-9 p.m. Oct. 21 at the West Jefferson Community Center, 230 Cemetery Rd.
More than 1,500 children and adults attend the free, family-friendly event each year.
“Everybody comes out and enjoys it. It’s a chance to see people they haven’t seen in a while and enjoy some fun as a family,” said Shelton Stanley, special events and recreation manager for the village of West Jefferson.
Starting at 5 p.m., visitors can partake of free food including sloppy Joe sandwiches, hotdogs, coney dogs, chips, apple cider slushies, and water. Facepainting, balloon animals, mechanical bull rides, and a surprise inflatable will be offered throughout the event, as well.
Trunk-or-treat, featuring 30 decorated cars or trucks, is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Participants are asked to have enough candy for up to 2,000 trunk-or-treaters. The trunk-or-treaters are asked to line up on Cemetery Road; signs will be posted. Festival organizers will pass out free sno-cones to those waiting in line. Cash and other prizes will go to the top three decorated cars/trucks.
The West Jefferson Community Association is hosting a costume contest. Registration runs from 5 to 6:15 p.m., followed by the contest at 6:30 on the stage. The contest is open to children. Prizes will be awarded by age group.
A haunted house, located inside the community center, and haunted hayrides, which will take place on Sewer Plant Lane, are slated for 6 to 9 p.m. Both are recommended for ages 12 and older; younger children must be accompanied by an adult. The haunted house theme is phobias–expect darkness, spiders, snakes, and the like. The haunted hayrides theme is alien invasion.
Volunteers are needed to help with set-up the week leading up to the festival. For times and tasks, contact Stanley at (614) 307-6543.
