By Andrew Carranza/Staff writer
For the past decade, Grove City community members have come to embrace certain traditions each fall.
Of course there are the more conventional customs, such as carving jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating during Halloween. There is also the thrill of watching leaves transform colors for the first time and break off, falling from trees.
But Grove City community members also hold a special place in their hearts for Fall Fest, a day-long celebration which includes games, crafters, pet show and, a crowd favorite, Scarecrows in the Park.
Each fall, Grove City residents, businesses and organizations create their own unique scarecrows to display in the park during the festival. The scarecrows have ranged in themes from “Hairspray” to Old MacDonald (and his farm).
While the scarecrows have grown in popularity every year, there have never been enough of them to line the entire loop in Grove City Memorial Park. But Mary Kay Mattocks, special events chair, believes this year could be the year to break that trend.
“We are hoping for a big turnout this year,” she said. “We’ve already started getting scarecrow forms back.”
The 11th annual Fall Fest will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 11 in Grove City Memorial Park. Any community members wishing to participate in the Scarecrows in the Park event still have time to sign up, according to Mattocks.
Last year, more than 30 scarecrows inhabited the park, the most in Fall Fest history. Mattocks is hoping to break that record this year.
According to Mattocks, prizes will be given in three separate categories for the scarecrows: businesses, organizations and individuals. First place winners will receive $150, while second place will receive $100. Third place finishers will receive $50. A new $200 award for the Best in the Show will also be given out this year, Mattocks said.
In addition, a non-competitive category, “Just for Fun,” will also be added this year.
“We added the Just For Fun category for people who are not allowed to receive money from prizes or just want to participate for the fun of it,” Mattocks explained.
The deadline for scarecrow applications is Oct. 1. Forms can be picked up at the Grove City Chamber of Commerce.
Mattocks said the scarecrows would start occupying the park the first week of October. They will stay up until Oct. 18.
“My favorite part of Fall Fest is the scarecrows,” she said. “It’s great to see the imagination and creativity from community members. It’s always amazing.”
This year, Mattocks said her committee mailed out applications through the chamber’s mailing list, which includes 900 businesses in its database.
“This is the first time we’ve done that, and we’re hoping to get a much bigger response,” Mattocks said. She also said businesses should take advantage of Scarecrows in the Park, since it’s “free advertising.”
“It’s the perfect way to show off a business for three weeks for free,” Mattocks explained. “Thousands of people travel through the park and look at the scarecrows during the festival.”
Grove City Area United Way will also be participating in this year’s Fall Fest, according to executive director Amy Foley.
“We decided to bring our United Way Community Day celebration into Fall Fest and partner with them,” she explained.
Last year, United Way held its Community Day in August before Foley joined as executive director. While the event was a success, she said it didn’t reach as many people as it could have, as August proved to be a busy time for community members.
“People were finishing up vacations and students were going back to school,” Foley said. “We had a decent turnout, but we wanted to reach more people. We expect much more people at this year’s combined event and hope to have a much broader reach to community members.”
The non-profit organization, along with its partner-agencies, will provide plenty of different activities at the festival, including carnival games, face painting and airbrush tattoos.
The United Way will also host a pie-baking contest and chili cook-off, Foley added. United Way’s partner agencies, including Mercer County American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Grace Community Food Pantry and Grove City Community Library, will also have booths set up to provide information to community members about their programs.
The pet show, another returning crowd favorite, will also be featured at this year’s Fall Fest. The show gives an opportunity to any children who have pets they want to show off – especially those with non-conventional animals.
“Kids have brought llamas, turtles, ponies and calves,” Mattocks laughed. “I really enjoy watching the pet show because the kids get so excited. Some of them have pets they can’t normally show off, so they really enjoy it.”
Every participant in the pet show will receive a ribbon and awards, such as biggest eyes or ears, are made up for almost every imaginable category to ensure that everybody wins, Mattocks said.
If that were not enough, crafters of every kind will be set up, and a community yard sale will also be held at Fall Fest.
“We already have the yard sale filled up,” Mattocks said. “Crafter space is already half taken up in their pavilion.”
While the yard sale shelter space is already full, Mattocks said people can still come out and set up their own tent or table in the overflow area.
Hayrides are also returning this year and Mattocks is once again expecting them to be a popular event.
“The hayrides are always a big attraction,” she said. “The line starts at noon and goes until after 5 p.m. The wagon is always full.”
About 300 pumpkins will also be available for children to paint, Mattocks said.
Admission to Fall Fest is free and Mattocks is hoping for a big crowd this year.
“It really all depends on the weather,” she said. “Last year, it was a beautiful day and we had 2,000 to 3,000 people show up throughout the day. Hopefully this year will be just as nice.”
Mattocks also thanked Grove City Borough Council and Springfield and Pine Township supervisors for sponsoring Fall Fest.
“Without the borough and townships, I doubt we’d be able to have Fall Fest,” she said. “We really appreciate everything they do for us.”
