October Fest '13 looks like another autumn classic

Visitors to downtown Rochester enjoy a recent October Festival on Hanson Street. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester’s Fifth Annual October Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the heart of downtown.

This year’s event will be held on Hanson Street, in Central Square and at Factory Court.

As part of the celebration, the main stage on Hanson Street will feature entertainment throughout the day with headliners, dance company demonstrations, Happy Time Squares and other performances. This family fun event offers food, fun, games, demonstrations, and an interactive Barnyard Petting Zoo.

This year’s new petting zoo will hold demonstrations of milking goats three times throughout the day, and bottle feeding a calf.  

There will also be a “Mile High Apple Pie” baking contest. All entries must be delivered to the Rochester Main Street booth no later than 10:30 a.m. for judging. The winner will receive a medal and a $25 cash prize.   

New this year, volunteers are also offering a raffle to help cover costs of downtown events. First prize is a $500 Gift Card from Kohls, second a $250 Gift Card for the Lilac Mall, and a third prize of $100 cash. Tickets are just $2 each or $10 for a book of six tickets.

Tickets may be purchased from any Main Street volunteer, Board Member, or through the Rochester Main Street Office. Downtown businesses are encouraged to bring an activity or sales onto the sidewalk in front of their business during the Festival Hours. This is one of the few times each year they are permitted to do so as Main Street obtains a permit allowing sidewalk displays and sales during the event. Businesses planning an activity or sales should contact the Main Street office so they can advertise your activity. There is no charge to host an activity or display in front of a downtown business that day.  

Children’s games at 2 p.m. feature a doughnut- and a pie-eating contest.

The volunteers are still seeking arts and craft booths and organizations who are interested in participating that day. There is no charge for Rochester businesses or nonprofits, but they must preregister to reserve a space. Outside vendors pay a minimal fee. Vendor forms with the rules are available online at www.rochestermainstreet.org under About us/Forms and Reports. 

Volunteers are also needed to help run the event that day.

For more information on the October Festival or to sign up to participate, please contact the Rochester Main Street Office at 603-330-3208 or email director@rochestermainstreet.org. The contact number the day of the event is 603-781-7116.   October Festival is a rain/shine event.

The main event sponsor is Service Credit Union. The petting zoo is sponsored by Holy Rosary Credit Union.