Loganville’s AutumnFest welcomes  182 vendors, returns activities to Main Street

This year will mark the 10^th anniversary of the City of Loganville’s AutumnFest, and organizers are changing things up by returning the festival to its roots on Main Street.

“For the past few years, AutumnFest has been set up around the old City Hall and Town Green area,” said Kristy Peters, events and marketing director for the City of Loganville. “Years ago the festival used to line up vendors along Main Street. After last year’s event, we realized that the event was growing beyond the space we were using. So the idea came about for us to move AutumnFest back to Main Street.

“It will require some patience with the vendors as we learn what works and doesn’t work with this format, but I think it will be great to see the festival return to Main Street.”

While vendors will line Main Street, a food court will be established around the Town Green, which will feature live music throughout the day. Music will be provided by Funky Bluester, who will take the stage at 9:30 a.m., with Tommy Taylor taking over at 11 a.m. The Stephen Lee Band will wrap up things with a performance starting at 2 p.m.

AutumnFest organizers have also created a Kids’ Zone located opposite of Loganville First United Methodist Church which will be complete with a spider jump, bounce houses, a pumpkin carving contest, cake walk, cow train and hay ride as well as other activities. The Loganville Fire Department will also have a dunking booth and a Kids Firefighter Challenge course. The Kids’ Zone will also have a second stage that will include performances from local dance troupes.  Some activities at the Kids’ Zone will require money, with the proceeds benefiting the Walton County Special Olympics.

While the festival will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., residents are encouraged to return to the Town Green at 6 p.m. for a free concert featuring Departure, a Journey tribute band. There will be vendors on hand for the event. In addition, beer and wine are permitted. Those interested are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the concert.

As a result of AutumnFest, residents are reminded that Main Street will be closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Oct. 21^st. Many side roads will also be affected in and around the old City Hall as well as the Town Green. Public parking can be found at the parking lot on Broad Street where last year’s festival was held, at the old City Hall as well as the new City Hall, Loganville FUMC and Loganville Baptist Church. Following the festival, the roads around the Town Green will remained closed for the concert.

“We truly hope everyone will come out and enjoy a day filled with fun and to celebrate our great community,” Peters said. “In addition, we also want to thank Georgia SurgiCare and SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics and our many sponsors who have helped us with this great fall festival.”

The City of Loganville announced recently that Georgia SurgiCare and SurgiCare Arts & Aesthetics signed on to be headline sponsors of this year’s AutumnFest. Other sponsors include Southern Classic Realtors, Legacy State Bank, Creekside Dentistry, Pregnancy Resource Center of Walton County, Your Local News, Maxie Price Chevrolet, Lee’s Collision, Town & Country Pet Salon, Clearview Regional Medical Center, Loganville Flower Basket, Tim Stewart Funeral Home, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and Ginny’s Custom Embroidery.