Campton Hills' Fall Fest grows into 6th year
Still fending off a food coma from that epic Labor Day barbecue?
You have a few days to recover and gear up for the next fall festival: The sixth annual Campton United Fall Fest planned for Saturday.
The event features long-standing attractions such as the Kid's Corner inflatable obstacle area, live music, a car show, bags tourney and food and drinks.
But organizers have made other adjustments to make the event, which raises about $15,000 for local charities and organizations, even more family friendly.
Mark Malloy, one of about 150 volunteers who plan and staff the event, said the fireworks display has been moved earlier in the evening to about 8::15 p.m. to better accommodate families with younger children.
"That was a little too late for families with little ones," Malloy said of the fireworks, which are again sponsored by the Kari and Kari Farmer's Insurance Agency after their festival premiere in 2015.
Organizers initially thought of the festival as a way to encourage unity after a contentious fight to incorporate the village nine years ago. There is no admission charge, so no exact count is kept of people in attendance but Malloy said the fest draws between 1,500 and 2,000 people.
"It's just a great value and so kid- and family-centric. That's what has sustained us," Malloy said. "It's really a great way to spend the day without spending a lot of money. I think that's really the attraction."
The day will begin with a 5K run through Fox Mill, the village's largest subdivision. Live entertainment will be provided by the bands "Red Woody" and "Disbard," a group of area lawyers/musicians.
Malloy said the Kids' Corner is a large draw for families with children. Each year, organizers play a movie on a large, inflatable outdoor movie screen. This year, it's "Minions."
The event runs 3 to 10 p.m., on the grounds of the Congregational United Church of Christ, 40W451 Fox Mill Blvd. For more information, visit unitedfallfest.com.