Published: September 08, 2009 11:08 am      

Cookeville Fall FunFest planned Sept. 11-12

WCTE, Cookeville’s PBS member station, will turn the focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) during its popular Stations of Imagination at the 15th annual Cookeville Fall FunFest Presented by U.S. Cellular September 11-12.  Some surprising new activities will take place on TTU Drive. The family-friendly attraction kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday with numerous activity booths, family-oriented entertainment and an opportunity for kids to meet their favorite PBS characters, and will continue until 5 p.m.  

With a theme of "Living Green," the area will be sectioned into special streets such as Amigos Street, Golden Eagle Boulevard, Big Tree Village, Sandbox Lane, Grassy Cove, Safety Avenue and Hands on Crafts Lane. Each street will feature free hands-on activities for kids. The FIRST Lego and Robotics teams will be back. The Walkaround Character from Sesame Workshop is the one and only Cookie Monster. Cookie Monster has been one of the most popular of creator Jim Henson’s Muppets since debuting in the very first show of PBS’s long-running series "Sesame Street" 40 years ago. 

In what has become an annual tradition, Wah Lum Kung Fu Chinese Lion will kick-off the day’s events on the Courthouse Square at 9:30 a.m. 

The enduringly popular Miffy, a small female rabbit from PBS’ "Miffy and Friends," will headline a sneak peek of the WCTE activities Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The subject of some 30 books which have sold more than 80 million copies, Miffy celebrated her 50th birthday in 2005. Her likeness adorns clothes, stationery, toys, glasses and household items. Entertainment will be provided by local dance companies and teams. Other activities include face painting, temporary tattoos and balloon animals. 

One of the premier fall events on the Upper Cumberland Plateau, Fall FunFest offers a variety of events for the entire family, including a championship barbecue cook-off sponsored by the Tennessee Lottery, the Progressive Savings Bank Family Fun Zone, Teen World, a 5k/10k Fun Run, and TACA arts and crafts area. A variety of musical entertainment will perform on three stages, and local and regional vendors will offer food and concessions. Admission to the event is free.

Fall FunFest presented by U.S. Cellular is a presentation of CityScape, Cookeville’s local “Main Street” organization that works to preserve, protect and promote the heart and soul of Cookeville — its downtown. CityScape is a group of concerned citizens working hand in hand with partners such as the city of Cookeville, local merchants and property owners to develop downtown as a destination for business and pleasure.  

Fall FunFest is a litter-free event.

Other event sponsors include U.S. Cellular, AUI LLC, Premier Diagnostic Imaging, Progressive Savings Bank, N2TheNet, Streamliner Creative, Cookeville Regional Medical Center, JWC Broadcasting, Stone Steel, American Bank and Trust, Dixie HomeCrafters, Putnam County Clean Commission, Herald-Citizen, Lamar Outdoor Advertising, BB&T Legge Insurance, Infinity Birthing Center, Hill Realty, First Realty and Comcast Spotlight

Cookeville is located approximately 1.5 miles off I-40, at exit #287 (Cookeville/Sparta). 

For more information, visit the FunFest Web site, www.fallfunfest.com.