Jenna Bacon, Campus Carrier arts and living editor
From a bustling county fair to a frightening haunted house, there is no shortage of fun things to do in Rome this fall season. To kick off the festivities, the Downtown District Association’s Promotion Committee will host a “Fall for All” event Saturday in downtown Rome. Throughout the day, street performers will provide lively entertainment and give attendees a chance to explore downtown’s shops and restaurants. Promotions Committee Chair Jamie Baker and her husband, Jerry Baker, own RAD Toys, a specialty toy shop located on Broad Street.
According to Jamie Baker, several downtown businesses are planning to get in on the fun as well.
“Some people may have face painting, some may roll out sales racks, or some might have some sort of activity for the kids to do,” Baker said. “Ultimately, the goal is to get people acquainted with downtown and everything that we have to offer.”
It wouldn’t be fall without an annual visit to a pumpkin patch. Lazy Creek Farms will open their pumpkin patch on Saturday, along with a variety of other fun activities for visitors to enjoy. Start by taking a tour of the farm as you enjoy a wagon ride. Next, test your navigation skills in the hay bale maze. Finally, get a close-up look at nature by visiting the farm’s honeybee enclosure.
The Paradise Garden Foundation’s annual Finster Fest will take place this Saturday and Sunday in Summerville. Finster Fest is a folk, crafts, and fine art festival that celebrates and showcases folk artists from all over the country. Three stages will host 15 musical performers throughout the event. There will also be two designated areas where attendees can view and purchase work from artists at the festival.
Fall events in Rome will provide plenty of options for kids and adults alike, with “Fall for All” and plenty of other events coming up.
One of those featured artists, Marshall Blevins, creates art under the name of Church Goin Mule. According to Belvin, the name was inspired by both of her grandparents, who came from agrarian backgrounds, and the mules they used to do their work. All of Belvins’s pieces feature a mule.
“I’ve been painting the mule for a long time, and I just keep learning more about the universality of it but also how it connects to people in the South,” Belvins said. “I paint with acrylic on wood, and I number my paintings.”
Belvins has attended Finster Fest for the past five years and enjoys the sense of community it provides for herself and fellow artists.
“It’s been really special every year to get to know people and understand them and get to see them again,” Belvins said.
One other event that will be coming up is the Cave Springs Pickle Festival. The 5th annual pickle festival willl be Oct. 11th and 12th from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day, Entry is $5 and free for children under 12. There will be a number of activities, including a pickle tasting event, live music, arts and crafts vendors, food, and a quilt show. There will be a number of artists performing. Artists this year are Danger Teague, Bettin on the Mule, Strickly Skynyrdm Montie Nelson and Blyss.
Another fall tradition that many people enjoy is attending their local fair. Beginning on Sept. 30, the Coosa Valley Fair will be in full swing once again. Leadership of the Coosa Valley Fair Association includes seven members of the Exchange Club of Rome, Georgia, serving as executive officers and board directors. These members work together to plan and organize the fair each year.
Owners of RAD toys, Jamie and Jerry Baker, head the
Promotions Committe that is organizing the downtown
Rome “Fall for All.”
According to Fair Manager Bryan Shealy, we can expect to see and experience lots of wonderful things at this year’s fair. The fair will have plenty of exciting carnival rides to choose from along with a variety of yummy foods. Attendees can enjoy a variety of live performances throughout the fair, including a thrilling show by the Pirates of the Colombian Caribbean Aerial group. The fair is also a fabulous way to give back and support local charities or artists.
“We let vendors come up and give them a place to showcase their wares, which helps them advertise,” said Shealy. And we earb money to put back into the community.’
Whether you decide to take part in a cozy hayride or test your bravery on a carnival ride, going to local events is a great way to get involved in the community.