The city of East Ridge will host their first annual Fall Fest at Camp Jordan Saturday, Oct. 17, from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. The festival is free and open to the public with a wide variety of activities for all ages.
Fall Fest 2009 will have a two wheels theme, kicking off the day’s activities with a bike and wheelchair parade. After a chili cook-off competition, a day of face painting, music, games, hayrides and vendors, festival attendees will grab some popcorn and head to the lawn for a family-friendly movie screening under the stars.
“This will be a celebration for all generations, bringing our community together and inviting others to come see what East Ridge has to offer,” said East Ridge Mayor Mike Steele. “Camp Jordan is the perfect location for such an event, and we welcome all communities to come enjoy the day with us. Our vendor booths will showcase the great businesses here in the area, the entertainment will be local and some of the south’s best chili will be cooked up by our neighbors.”
The first event of the festival will be a “two wheels” parade: a congregation of people with either bicycles or wheelchairs making a procession through Camp Jordan’s trails. All bike enthusiasts, regardless of age or ability, are encouraged to join the parade and decorate their bikes however they choose; to register, visit www.eastridgetn.org and fill out the application or contact Amanda Miller at Camp Jordan, 490-0078. Applications must be received by Oct. 9.
During the main portion of the festival, additional “two wheel” activities are also planned.
After the parade kick-off, festival attendees will enjoy the vendor booths of local art, crafts, food, jewelry, children’s fingerprinting and more. There will be a “kids korner” at the festival, hosting fun games, face painting, a hayride, inflatables, a petting zoo and other activities.
Those interested in hosting a booth at the festival may fill out the form online at http://www.eastridgetn.org/media/Vendor.pdf or by calling 648-7359. Booths are $50 per business/organization/individual and $25 for nonprofit. Hosting a booth at Fall Fest 2009 is an opportunity for business owners to give their products and services exposure. For additional vendor details, visit www.eastridgetn.org or contact Ms. Miller. Applications must be received by Oct. 9.
The East Ridge Lions Club Chili Cook-Off Competition is open to all chili cooks, amateur or expert. Those interested may fill out the application online at http://www.eastridgetn.org/media/Chili.pdf or contact Ms. Miller. Cost per entry is $5. Prizes will be given to the winning recipes, judged by a secret “local celebrity” panel. Applications must be received by Oct. 9.
For more information about the festival, please call the city manager’s office at 867-7711.