Fall Festival gives kids early start on Halloween
Halloween has changed dramatically over the years, going from a one-night candy quest to an opportunity to have a safe experience numerous times, giving kids several opportunities to test drive their costumes.
The first opportunity will come on Friday, from 6 to 9 p.m., when the North Fort Myers Recreational Park will host its annual Fall Festival, which has grown in recent years to become one of the biggest events in the area.
More than 1,500 people and dozens of vendors are expected to attend the festival that’s held on the Pop Warner football field, with plenty of fun, candy and activities to keep everyone occupied and happy.
What event organizer James Pittro would like to see is a greater involvement from the business community, particularly those who are new.
Only about two dozen had been locked in as definite last week, as opposed to nearly 40 last year. It’s a situation Pittro has made a point of emphasis as the day draws near.
“We’re still trying to find new vendors, but we haven’t gotten a lot of them, which is disappointing because I’d like to see the community step up. We have a lot of new businesses, and it’s for the kids,” Pittro said. “The regulars always come out and we usually get a good crowd. We would like to see the new businesses come out.”
For area businesses, it’s a great way to advertise with little or no money coming out of pocket, as it’s free. Businesses are allowed to decorate their booths and give out candy to the costumed kiddies and business cards and coupons to the adults. They will not be able to sell merchandise, however.
Pitto said perhaps the early date, 10 days before Halloween, may be an issue. He said they didn’t want to wait a week and have it interfere with other Halloween activities.
Several nonprofits, such as the North Fort Myers Civic Association, have made it a point to come annually.
The event will feature the traditional costume contest for children and adults, with the first 200 kids getting bags of candy, a live DJ, bounce houses and slides, a photo booth, a clown making balloon animals, and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office will be there with their swamp buggy and K-9 unit.
“As far as stuff the kids can do, it’s about having the parents bring them out,” Pittro said.
From humble beginnings 15 years ago, which featured not much more than a hayride, the Fall Festival has grown every year to where last year a record 1,800 people attended.
“There’s so much room to expand. We would love to get 60 vendors and we always end up with 30, which is disappointing, but we keep trying to get them out. If the people didn’t come, I’d understand,” Pittro said.