Published: October 13, 2008 09:17 am         

Rockwood to host fall fest Oct. 25

The annual Rockwood Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, in downtown Rockwood.

“Even a smaller, quality event is better than no event at all,” said Councilman Dudley Evans, who coordinated the committee planning the event.

The Rockwood Fall Festival was begun some years ago as Ye Old Trade Days sponsored by the Merchants’ Association. In more recent years, the focus shifted away from the merchants and more towards fundraising for the schools and the Parent Teacher Organization. This year’s event is planned to primarily serve as a fundraiser for the PTO with participation by the merchants as well. Historically the event has been managed by volunteers. This year there were no volunteers who stepped forward to organize the event.

“Both the PTO and the Merchants’ Association have been recently reorganized – this event is intended to help both groups,” added Councilman Ray Collett, one of the festival committee members.

The festival will look much the same as in recent years with the ever-popular inflatables for children, a beauty contest, food and craft vendors, quilts, a cheerleading contest and country-western, gospel and bluegrass music as entertainment. The event is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and end at approximately 7 p.m. Efforts are underway to invite classic cars and other attractions. Interested vendors should contact Beverly Stroh at (865) 354-0175, ext. 823 for more information.

The Fall Festival begins three weekends of activities for Rockwood. The following week on Friday, Oct. 31, Rockwood merchants are sponsoring Halloween Downtown between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Children are invited to trick or treat in the downtown area amongst the participating business owners and civic groups. After this event, all are invited to attend the Rockwood Tigers home football game scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Following the Halloween weekend, on Sunday, Nov. 2, civic group Rockwood 2000 will host a murder-mystery fundraiser at the former funeral parlor on downtown Rockwood Street. Slated to last from 2-4 p.m., guests will be asked for a $10 donation. Donations will be used to replace the roof on the former Highway Patrol Station on Gateway Avenue in Rockwood. Refreshments will be served and reservations are requested prior to the event due to limited seating. This event is being hosted by Rockwood’s Yonder Hollow Productions. To make your reservation, contact Erika Schenk at (865) 354-6800.