The fall season is full of holidays and fun activities including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Oktoberfest and various trunk-or-treats. Between all of those activities, local fall festivals can bring together the community or schools to celebrate the fall season as a whole.
The Lucabe Fall Fest took place on Nov. 1, to kick off the month of giving thanks. Key highlights included local vendors, specialty drinks and pumpkin cinnamon rolls. For people who went with younger siblings or children, they set up face painting stations and a bouncy house, which were both free. Wyatt Harris, a junior who works at Lucabe, talks about how the event helps the community.
“I think [the festival] benefits the community by bringing people together that normally wouldn’t be in the same groups together,” Harris said.
As well as activities, they had a free costume contest for people and dogs, with the chances to win prizes.
“My favorite part of the festival is seeing the community interact,” Wyatt said.
The Richard’s Elementary Fall Festival happened Nov. 7. In addition to the actual festival itself, they also held a trunk or treat during the festival so that festival-goers could kill two birds with one stone. The festival, participants could find a bounce house, face painting, the Viewpoint Books bus, games, food and even farm animals. Hungry festival-goers could choose food from HotBox and Kovener’s Korner, which were both available. For those looking for a cool find, a silent auction took place as well. Vice President of the PTO Sarah Frazita describes how the festival reflects the school spirit.
“Parents and guardians have come together either financially or physically by volunteering,” Frazita said. “It shows that if we all come together, we can do great things.”
The festival is more than just a fun night, however. It also provides money for the school to set up other events. Frazita describes the impact the fall fests make on the school.
“Money raised goes right back to the students and staff,” Frazita said. We are then able to provide items and school supplies, fun activities, special food, and it helps us make other events happen, such as Santa Shop, 6th grade night, and Field Day.”
From shopping through local vendors while eating a pumpkin cinnamon roll at Lucabe’s Fall Fest, to seeing farm animals while eating a hot slice of HotBox’s pizza at Richard’s Elementary Fall Festival, Columbus has many options for people looking to meet new people and have a fun night out.
“The first words that come to mind when I hear ‘fall festival’” Frazita said, “are fun games, good food and time with family and friends.” 
