Vendors and volunteers needed for park’s Fall Fest 2011
The North Fort Myers Community Park holds its annual Fall Festival each year in October around Halloween at its community center.
“It is always held the Friday before Halloween, this year on Friday, Oct. 28,” said Senior Recreation Specialist Christine Susterich.
The eleventh annual Fall Festival is a free event for the community. Children in costume (up to 150) will receive a free bag of safe candy after a costume contest.
Residents come to enjoy music, the costume contest, hay ride, haunted hay ride, horse and pony rides, bounce house, games, give-a-ways, a raffle and more.
Officials there are now looking for both vendors and volunteers for the event. “All local area businesses are invited to set u a 10 by 10 tent with chairs and table, decorate it with a fall festival theme and advertise your business for free,” she said. “We are asking businesses to have small give-a-ways to attract fair-goers to their tents such as safe candy (individually wrapped), key chains, coupons, etc.”
Many children “trick-or-treat” from vendor tables, but there is no selling of items at the stations.
The Fall Festival drew more than 1,500 people in 2010, Susterich said, and attendance has steadily increased the past ten years
“We are also looking for volunteers to help with this event.” Volunteers are encouraged to call the office and ask for Susterich or fellow Senior Recreation Specialist Libby Olive. “We need help to run the haunted hayride, assist with pony rides and hep with set up and tear down. We’re especially looking for daytime volunteers to have the 28th.”
The eleventh annual Fall Festival event will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. The Pop Warner football concession stand will be open to purchase food and drinks.
“We have two new attractions this year, ponies and horse rides and Way Too Tall Torrie.” Torrie is a stilt walking pirate who will intermingle with attendees.
“And most importantly, as usual, we are keeping this free to the community. The only purchases will be to Pop Warner Concession and for raffle tickets.”
Great raffle items have already been coming in – from Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Outback Steakhouse, Perkins and Athenian Greek restaurants, DiamondHead Beach Resort and Sun Splash. The Broadway Palm Dinner Theater, Alva Diner, Publix, Winn Dixie, Sun-N-Fun Lagoon, Papa John’s and Dominos have also donated items.
“Miss Florida International Lorena Placencia will judge the costume contest, and every year we dedicate the event to fallen volunteer and deputy Flix Romano,” said Susterich.
For information call 652-4512 or email to jsusterich@leegov.com.
The North Park Community Center is located behind the North Fort Myers Library.