A few venue changes, and the festival goes on
WALNUT — The weather forecast did not disappoint. Saturday, Oct. 6, started out with rain and promised to have rain continuing off and on during the day.
Even with the rain, the organizers of the third annual Walnut Fall Fest on Main arranged for the activities to continue with several changes of venue.
Pumpkin painting was held as scheduled under the tent at the side of Main Street with the music of Joel Perino providing a backdrop. The kids enjoyed the painting while the adults found a drink or a snack and a dry seat under the tent.
The vendors scheduled to have booths displayed their wares in a variety of facilities. The new Avanti warehouse was put to use by several, including the Blue Raider Foundation. This foundation was selling benches, boards with hooks, and many different sizes of just boards that were from the recently removed bleachers in the Bureau Valley North gymnasium. A great way to have a piece of history.
Two or three recently renovated store fronts on Main Street were also utilized by local and area vendors.
The Avanti gazebo in Veterans Memorial Park kept its planned activity of passing out free cider doughnuts and fresh cider by members of the Walnut First Christian Church.
In the Walnut Community Building, Wild Times Exotic Animals had a steady stream of adults and children dropping in to see several varieties of snakes, a chinchilla and more. If you were lucky or unlucky, depending on how you feel, you could be part of a group and actually hold a python. Fun for some, and scary for others.
Many of the children’s games were moved inside the Walnut Community Bible Church. Kids of many ages enjoyed making some crafts, playing giant Jenga, playing board games and many more activities.
The weather did not deter the kids from having a great time.
Yes, it was a damp day in Walnut, but the Fall Fest continued. Xtreme Crossfire Paintball happened, the chili cookoff was hot and spicy, the music continued until 8 p.m. and everyone had a great time — thanks to the Walnut Chamber of Commerce and all the sponsors for their hard work.
Attentive to the task, a boy works to create a pumpkin-shaped craft.
This handicraft carried the message of the day at Walnut's Fall Fest on Main Saturday.
A girl carefully removes a large-version Jenga block while playing the game at Walnut's Fall Fest on Main.
Painted pumpkins sported many colors other than orange at the children's crafts portion of Walnut's Fall Fest on Main.
Petting the pets kept kids entertained Saturday at Fall Fest.
It's hard to beat an apple cider doughnut, and many were served Saturday at Walnut's Fall Fest on Main community celebration.