West Deer will be hold a fall festival for the first time in place of its annual summer community days event that has been held for more than 15 years.
The festival will be held Oct. 16 at Bairdford Park.
Amy Stark, chairwoman of the West Deer Parks and Recreation Board, said covid restrictions in place earlier this year interrupted the board’s plan to meet in January to begin planning for the community day event. Planning didn’t resume until restrictions were lifted in May, but Stark said, “It did not give us enough time to plan.”
So the two-day community event turned into a fall festival that will offer the same experience all in one day. Admission and carnival rides are free. Stark said fast passes will be available for children with autism spectrum disorders.
A breast cancer awareness 5K run and 1-mile walk will kick off the festival at 10:30 a.m. Registration will be available at 10 a.m. All proceeds from the run will help benefit local residents at Adagio Health. To register, visit westdeertownship.com.
Residents will be able to enjoy a variety of activities throughout the day including music, hayrides, a petting zoo, a pie-eating contest and face painting. Local youth organizations will have booths set up to raise money, selling cider, hot chocolate and candy apples. There also will be craft vendors and a local seed swap.
The event will end with Zambelli fireworks at 8:30 p.m.
“To be able to do this is very exciting for us. It is a way for the community to come together and have fun,” Stark said.