Fall into fun at Afton Autumn Days

AFTON - With a chillier breeze and the first steps into fall, Afton is looking to bring in the fall season on Saturday with Afton Autumn Days.

Expect a full day of family festivities as the Afton square will convert into a bustling center with inflatables, vendors, food trucks, a car show, games and more.

The event is organized by the nonprofit Afton Community Club, who also organize the weekly summer event Tuesday Nights in the Park and the Afton Extravaganza in the winter.

President of the Community Club Devon Springer said events like these help strengthen the local community. Other members of the community, such as the Afton Art Club and the Afton Volunteer Fire Department will contribute to the event.

For the Community Club, events like Autumn Days and Tuesday Nights in the Park can help bring attention to Afton from surrounding areas while also providing a local activity for families.

Springer says organizing events helps give future generations the same memories she had growing up in Afton.

“I wanted to give back to my community, I grew up in Afton,” she said. “I enjoy my memories of growing up in Afton as a kid. I always felt at home here. After I had children, I wanted to make those same memories for my kids and show them you can be a part of something and make good change.”

Wristbands are available for children which will give them access to a range of activities. Each $10 wristband will give entry into a scavenger hunt, access to all games and bounce houses, unlimited mechanical bull rides and a pumpkin for painting.

The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Afton Community Center for the Afton Fireman’s Breakfast. Previous years had the breakfast in the park, but has moved to the Community Center to better accommodate the community. Expect tasty servings of biscuits and gravy.

The majority of vendors and food trucks will arrive around 10 a.m., and will stay until the square portion of the event ends at 4 p.m. Vendors will be available on the north side of the square. Food trucks, including Zipp’s Pizza, Corndog Caravan and Afton-born Reno & Woody’s, will be located on the west side of the square.

For consultations with spirits just in time for spooky season, look no further than tarot card readings provided by Crystallized Visions, which will be located on the south side of the park starting at 10 a.m. under the shade of the gazebo.

Most kids activities will begin at 11 a.m., with inflatables, a mechanical bull, pumpkin painting and more.

Some of the inflatables, spread across the east side of the square, will be brand new to Afton events, alongside a classic bounce house provided by the Afton Lions Club. A mechanical bull provided by T&C Rodeo will be looking to knock off the toughest of young competitors and can be found on the north side of the square.

J&D Petting Barnyard will bring cute miniature horses, sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits and more to Afton. The petting zoo will be located on the west side.

The Afton Art Club will help kids paint pumpkins to bring in the fall and spooky season. Pumpkins can be painted in the north shelter, and will be left to dry and pick up later. Each wristband will give one free pumpkin.

New to this year’s event is the scavenger hunt. Little pumpkins with letters on the bottom can be found throughout the square. Kids will have to solve the scrambled letters to find a secret message.

Various carnival games will be available, hosted by the Afton Assembly of God. The group will also host a hymn sing at their church at 4:30 p.m.

At 1 p.m., a trio of events will begin. The south and east roads will be home to the car show. Registration begins at noon. Also beginning at the same time will be Bingo, which will be held in the Afton Community Center. A book of nine games will be available for $8, with the cash prize being based on the number of participants.

Finally, a pie eating contest will take place on the concrete slab beside the gazebo on the south side of the square. Winners will receive a free pie. Registration will be required before 12:30 p.m.

The northeast side of the square will be home to this year’s pedal pull at 2 p.m., which is assisted by the Afton FFA. Registration is required by 1:30 p.m. with all participants meeting on the basketball court at 1:45.

Another new event for Autumn Days is the baby contest, with the category this year being best fall outfit. Two age groups will be judged at 3 p.m., newborn to 1 year olds and 1 to 2 year olds. Prizes will be awarded for first and second place, with a goodie bag given to all participants. Registration is required by 2:45 p.m.

The event will close a few miles west of Afton at the Lakeshore Golf Course with Dueling Pianos. From 6 to 10 p.m., two piano players will face off as they take crowd requested songs. Tickets cost $60 per person and include a pulled pork dinner. Businesses can also sponsor a table for $450 to receive eight tickets and closer seating to the pianos.