October Brings Fall Festivals
If you stop by the Clearfield County Historical Society’s Fall Apple Cider Festival on Sunday, Oct. 13 you can help press apples on their antique press to make cider and enjoy other fun activities at this free event. The festival is held at the Bloody Knox cabin in Kellytown which is between Madera and Curwensville on Rt. 453. This is only one of the many local fall festivals being held this month. (Photo courtesy of the CCHS.)
By Julie Rae Rickard
CLEARFIELD – Fall festival time is in full swing with several events scheduled for October.
Clearfield’s 13th annual Pumpkin Run/Walk 5K, Fall Festival and Car, Truck and Motorcycle Cruise is scheduled for Saturday, October 12th. It is hosted by the Clearfield Revitalization Corporation (CRC).
The day will start off with a Pumpkin Run 5K run/walk through the streets of Clearfield. Day-of registration will be from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. at the Rivers Landing Building, with the race starting at 8:15 a.m., according to a press release from the CRC.
The festival itself runs from10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Market, Locust, and Third Streets. This family friendly event has “something for everyone”.
“Festival-goers can enjoy great food while meeting and mingling with more than 100 talented artisans as they display and sell work ranging from ceramics, fiber, wood, leather, and metalwork to jewelry, glass, photography, and mixed-media art pieces. Many downtown businesses will also be open to showcase great fall sales.”
Live entertainment will be provided by singer Spencer Graham from noon to 3:00 p.m. in front of the Clearfield County Courthouse.
The popular Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade sponsored by the Allegheny Spay & Neuter Clinic and Waggin’ Trains, starts at 1:00 p.m. Pet and their parents can participate for free and prizes will be awarded.
Please note that “pets must be leashed and current on vaccines. No animals should be forced to wear costumes that cause any discomfort or injury to the animal,” it states in the release.
The annual Car/Truck/Motorcycle Show which will benefit Animals Matter of Clearfield County will take place in and around the Third Street Parking lot. Registration donation is $10. A prize for the crowd favorite will be awarded.
For more information, call 765-6000 or visit www.DisoverClearfield.com.
On Sunday, Oct. 13, The Clearfield County Historical Society will hold its annual Fall Apple Cider Festival at the historic Bloody Knox Cabin from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m.
The cabin is located along Route 453, in Kellytown, between Madera and Curwensville.
“Since its beginning; the festival has been a free family-oriented affair enjoyed by all ages. Demonstrations of Civil War era crafts and workmanship will be available such as rope making, black smithing, flint knapping, butter churning, corn brooms, Gearhart Knitting Machine, corn shelling, sauerkraut and new this year, demonstrations on loom weaving,” according to a press release.
Also new this year, Tribe of Two will have Native American displays and education.
The first 100 children attending will receive a free pumpkin to decorate. Admission is free and the public is welcome.
“The festival commemorates the December, 1864 armed skirmish between local Civil War deserters and the Federal Veteran Reserve Corp troops who were sent to arrest them. Two men were killed – nineteen-year-old Private Edgar Reed of the arresting party and Thomas Adams, the host of a party of deserters who were gathered at his cabin home. The reconstructed cabin stands on the spot of the original structure,” according to the release.
Other upcoming fall festivals include:
Applefest 2024 at the Mahaffey Camp and Conference Center will be Friday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 13. It will have “fun activities for the whole family to enjoy like children’s crafts & games, a benefit auction, cornhole tournament, apple baking contest, kids art show, scarecrow decorating, wagon rides, live entertainment” and more, according to their Facebook page.
Hartslog Day at Alexandria, on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. will have arts, crafts, food booths, a parade at 9:00 a.m., and a tractor showcase from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Curwensville Lake’s Fall Festival will be from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. This will include vendors, food trucks, hayrides, chili cook-off, Cornhole Tournament, and Trunk or Treat for the kids from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Apple Fest 2024 at Martha’s Park in Lanse will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with free kid’s activities, vendors, and a silent auction. Area scouts will be selling their “legendary” apple butter and baked apple treats will be available.
Mahaffey Park Fall Festival, Saturday, Oct. 26 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Mahaffey Scout Park, will have vendors and concession stands, a pumpkin decorating contest, trunk or treat and a Halloween parade at noon.
AutumnFest in Morrisdale is scheduled for Nov. 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Volunteer Fire Co. Recreation Center. They will have “food, fun for the kids & craft vendors”, a 50/50 drawing and Chinese Auction with proceeds going to Centre County PAWS.