Deadlines nearing for Fall Festival

By Staff, 09/20/18 3:06 PM

PRESCOTT – So far, 64 vendors have confirmed they will be participating in the annual Prescott-Nevada County Chamber of Commerce’s Fall Festival on Oct. 13.

Jamie Hillery, executive director of the Chamber, said spaces are still available, but those interested need to sign up by Oct. 5. Last year, she added, there were 49 vendors. The deadline for entering the Mr. and Miss Fall Festival Pageant is also Oct. 5, while the deadline for the cutest baby contest is Oct. 10.

While the actual festival doesn’t start until 9 a.m., the 5-K run/walk is set to start at 8 a.m. with sign up at 7 o’clock. Those who register early will get a t-shirt. The festival will officially kick off with the singing of the national anthem on the main stage. The main stage is also where the first clue for the golden pumpkin contest will be given at 9:30 a.m. Whoever finds the pumpkin will go home with an extra $150, unless they spend it all at the festival.

The winners of the 5K will be announced at 10 a.m., with the basketball shoot-out to start then as well. The Lil’ Firecracker Freedom Fun Run will be held at 11. The Bunco tournament also begins at 11 o’clock. The second clue for the golden pumpkin will be given at 11:30 at the Chamber booth, while the winners of the art contest will be named at the main stage. The pet costume contest will be held at noon, along with the water ball competition with the Prescott Fire Department. In years past, this event was a competition between the PFD and Prescott Police Department and held where the new Nevada County Jail is located. Patrons always enjoyed it as it was fun to watch and plenty wet with the water going everywhere.

The Texas Firewater Band will take center stage at 1 p.m. Those who attended the fireworks show earlier this summer will remember them as the band performing prior to the fireworks being shot off. The third and final clue for the golden pumpkin, if it’s needed, will be given at 2 o’clock at the Chamber booth. The fall festival pageant will be held on the courthouse steps at 3 p.m. with the winner of the cutest baby announced at 4, along with the winner of the Yeti cooler raffle.

This, though, is not all that will be going on at the festival. Hillery explained the winner of the cutest baby will be determined by patrons of the festival, who will cast their votes throughout the day based on 8×10 photos of the babies entered. Between events, though, visitors can spend their time browsing the different booths where they can check out what’s being offered. Hillery said there will be several food booths, serving pretty much everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to nachos, fried pies and funnel cakes. There will be several booths offering jewelry and household goods, such as Tupperware and RADA cutlery, along with beauty products. Along with this, she added, there will be barbecue, Philly cheese steak sandwiches, Polish sausage and plenty of other goodies to munch on.

There will also be booths with baked goods, jams, jellies and several doing fundraisers. The Bank of Prescott will be selling Pico de Gaya and pickles to help raise money for the Nevada County Cancer Association. Area churches will also be having fundraisers at their booths, while other vendors will have raffles of their own.

Along with this, Hillery said, there will be bounce houses, trains, an inflatable slide, a fair-style swing, pony rides, youth archery and a performance by the Dancetastics. In addition, she added, LifeShare Blood Services will be on hand for those who want to donate blood.

The festival, she said, will be fun for the entire family and there will be plenty for everyone to do.