Fall Festival and Pumpkin Float Set for Saturday at Parker Dam

PENFIELD – Autumn is in full swing, and for many, this is their favorite time of the year. Some enjoy the cooler weather. Others venture out to see nature’s brilliant leaf displays. Still more look forward to fresh apple cider and other treats normally enjoyed during the fall and harvest season. These experiences and more will be offered this Saturday at Parker Dam State Park’s seventh annual Fall Festival and Pumpkin Float.

From 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., there will be traditional activities, such as Apple Cidering, Candle Dipping, Bannock Bread, Butter Making, Natural Dyes, Leaf Art, Apple Butter and Pioneer Games.  Throughout the afternoon, there will also be other educational programming on topics, such as the Traditional Hide Tanning, Primitive Fire and Bats, Snakes and Spiders.  Several vendors, artist and craftspeople will be on hand to showcase and sell their wares throughout the afternoon. 

The concession stand will be open during the festival until early evening for festival-goers to purchase many delicious items. 

At 4 p.m., the Friends of Parker Dam State Park will be organizing a costume parade for children, children at heart and leashed pets.  Anyone wishing to participate in the parade should meet near the ball field shortly before 4 p.m.  The parade will travel through the festival area. 

Following the parade, there will be trick-or-treat festivities in the campground and cabin areas until 6 p.m.  Overnight visitors in the campground and cabin areas will be given a tag to place on their site post or cabin door if they wish to participate in trick-or-treat.

The evening activities start at 5 p.m. with pumpkin carving. However, a very limited number of pumpkins will be available at the Friends of Parker Dam stand at the festival for a nominal donation; attendees may also bring their own.

Then, at 6:30 p.m., the Beach Bonfire will begin for which attendees should bring along a lawn chair.  The Pumpkin Float will take place at 7 p.m. when the lighted jack-o-lanterns are set adrift on the lake.  Until 8 p.m., attendees can sit around the bonfire and listen to the tales of the storyteller, while the pumpkins, and with any luck the stars, sparkle off the lake. 

Parking will be available all day along Mud Run Road in the Day Use Area and also in the turf parking area below the Park Office.   All activities are just a short walk into the Day Use Area near the Beach House and Pavilions 1 through 4.  Admission, parking and educational activities are free of charge.