Officials with the City of Baldwin have been on a mission to promote the latest coming of their annual Fall Festival, which this year they hope to be bigger and better than even the one that saw a robust turnout last year.
A list of activities are on the calendar for this year’s festival, an all-day event expected to take place Oct. 22 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m at 110 Airport Rd. Festival activities are free to all who attend.
The origin of Baldwin’s Fall Festival, which started in 2017 to mark the end of the city’s first farmer’s market season, was intended to provide residents a place to gather, support local and small businesses and interact as a collective community. The Fall Festival has seen increases in both attendees and vendors over the years.
This year, the event will be kicked off by a Runway 5K, followed by a Currahee Jeep Crawl, with members of the community welcomed to arrive at Mitchell Gailey Park around 10:30 a.m. and ride out at 11 a.m. Those interested in “jeeping” will then cruise in convoy together through the county.
The route of the Jeep Crawl will span from the park, through Cornelia and down Mt. Airy Highway, cruising through Richard Russell Scenic Area before coming to an end at Currahee Museum.
Councilwoman Alice Venter, who had a central role in planning the event, described the city’s upcoming Fall Festival as a fun-filled day for families looking for vast entertainment in a festive fall environment.
“We are very excited about our fall festival this year – all of our activities and games have always been free to participate in and that leaves more money in the pockets for parents, and they don’t have to worry about choosing to come to the festival or pay bills,” Venter said.
Venter credited Baldwin’s network with local businesses for sponsorships and coordination with its various departments – which will host a number of events – as key factors that have enabled the city to offer a range of free activities to the public.
Other activities throughout the day will include a chili cook off, a wiffleball tournament, a beer garden, food trucks, dozens of vendors, games, face painting, kids crafts, live music performed by the Maggie Valley Band and fireworks once the sun sets.
Venter said there will be more space for those in attendance to move about this year, stating the area will be expanded so that members of the community can walk among the activities with beverages in hand.
The festival will be held at the Farmer’s Market at 110 Airport Road on Oct. 22.