Fourth annual Orrville Fall Fest Oct. 21 at Orr Park
The Orrville Fall Fest on Oct. 21 at Orr Park will include a gathering at Heller Hall for trunk-or-treat festivities with members of the American Legion Frank E. Cook Post No. 282; free hot dogs, chips and drinks, as well as hot coffee and warm apple cider; and even a fire pit for s’mores.
Little ghosts and goblins, along with their families and friends, are invited to the fourth annual Orrville Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Orr Park.
With several planned events geared toward children in kindergarten through sixth grade, the night will include a gathering at Heller Hall for trunk-or-treat festivities with members of the American Legion Frank E. Cook Post No. 282; free hot dogs, chips and drinks, as well as hot coffee and warm apple cider; the Northwest Trail Walk including stops with the Orrville Public Library, Orrville Lions Club, Orrville Chamber of Commerce, Orrville Community Development Corporation and Orrville Community Theater; and even a fire pit for s’mores.
“I was elected to council in 2020 and was appointed as the committee chairman of the parks and recreation committee for the City of Orrville,” said councilman CJ Handwerk, Ward 1 representative. “One of my goals was to bring the many groups in the community together, and I believe that Orr Park is a great central location to do so. The first year almost didn’t take place due to the many challenges with COVID-19 in the fall of 2020. This year marks the fourth annual Fall Festival, and it’s exciting to see what the community-focused event has evolved into.”
He said the event is an opportunity for kids to enjoy the fall atmosphere in a safe environment, all while being rewarded with free candy and getting the opportunity to enjoy the Northwest Trail the city’s service department developed over the course of the past three years.
“The Northwest Trail has been manicured to have a recycled asphalt walking path made out of city streets when repaving projects are completed,” Handwerk said.
When the Fall Fest began in 2020, it started with a concert and a car show, but due to the challenges with the weather, Handwerk said the event became more focused on events for children. With the American Legion partnering together with the city for the event to hold the trunk or treat, Handwerk said many of the members choose to decorate their vehicles, “giving the kids a fun and unique first stop prior to walking the trails,” he explained.
“Crossview Church has also been a huge supporter of all our park programs, and they will be supporting the event as yet another local community partner,” Handwerk said. “Last but not least, our city council members, Mayor (Dave) Handwerk and our Safety Service Director Steve Wheeler all make this happen.”
Last year more than 300 people came to the Fall Fest, and Handwerk is hopeful even more will come out to this year’s event. Children are encouraged to wear their costumes, but dressing up is not mandatory.
“Most communities are not as fortunate as Orrville to not only have a great venue for events, but very few communities have the people to pull something like this event off each year at no cost,” Handwerk said. “I would also encourage our local businesses and anyone who wants to volunteer to contact me directly. We have a lot of businesses and citizens who want to get involved but simply have not made the commitment to engage with the community. I am asking them to come out and be a part of what we are doing with the park district. The Fall Festival is simply a fun event for all citizens to come out and enjoy the park.”
As the parks department gears up in 2024 to launch a campaign to secure funding from private donors, corporations and any nonprofit groups that want to support not only Orr Park, but also the continued development of the city’s comprehensive park plan that was finalized in 2022, holding events such as this is a reminder as to how lucky Orrville is to have such great facilities right in its backyard.
“This (fundraising) program will range from Friends of the Parks donations of $50 all the way up to naming rights and co-branding options for our new Skate and BMX Park and even the new Union Depot Park. If anyone has questions, they should reach out to Janet Stimlen, Orrville’s finance director, for more details,” Handwerk said.
As the local community comes together for the Fall Fest, Handwerk said it will be a relaxed atmosphere everyone can look forward to.
“There is no cost to those who want to come out and snack,” he said. “This is simply a local community coming together.”