By Mark Rosman
Staff Writer
ALLENTOWN – Organizers of the Allentown Fall Festival will welcome more than 100 vendors and thousands of guests to the historic borough on Oct. 8-9.
The annual community celebration will feature artisans and crafters, a Civil War re-enactment camp, a variety of food, a classic car show, live entertainment, a petting zoo, contests and more.
Shops in town are expected to offer specials during the festival, according to information posted online by the Allentown Business Community Association (ABCA), which sponsors the event.
Visitors are encouraged to park at Allentown High School on High Street and take a free shuttle bus to the festival on Main Street. The festival will be open, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, said Heather Saracen, president of the ABCA.
Main Street will be closed to traffic. Activities for children will include bouncy houses and slides, a petting zoo, pony rides, puppy rescues, arts and craft stations, contests and more.
For adults, there will be a craft beer garden and wine tasting. The Allentown Lions Club will host the craft beer garden as a fundraiser. The Lions Club supports scholarships, community projects, and offers medical equipment and eye testing to individuals who need those services.
Beer and wine representatives will be on hand to answer questions and chat about their products.
“The fall festival is as big as it has ever been,” Saracen said. “Our businesses in town rely on the festival to get exposure. We have 120 vendors signed up; we have had some vendors coming for 20 years and we have new vendors doing interesting things such as wood carving and bottle cap art; very unique items. The festival is also important to the community.”
The Civil War camp and re-enactment in Heritage Park will feature battles on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9. Guests will experience the troops’ living quarters, cooking utensils, food, lectures, period music, military and civilian demonstrations, color ceremonies and exhibits.
Mayor Greg Westfall invited residents of the borough and neighboring towns to come to the fall festival and to support Allentown’s businesses.
At the Borough Council meeting on Sept. 27, Councilman Rob Schmitt reported on plans for the event and said “everyone is really excited. All of the civic organizations are involved. It is a place where we can all come together; it’s fantastic.”
Main Street, between Church and High streets, will be off limits for parking starting the evening of Oct. 7 in preparation for the festival. The parking ban will continue for the duration of the festival into the evening of Oct. 9 for cleanup.
Vendors are only allowed to park at the Newell Elementary School and at Allentown High School. Parking in the municipal lot is reserved for residents and visitors only, according to information posted on the borough’s website.
