A new fall tradition is coming to Columbia on September 30. That is the day Columbia Main Street and the Kiwanis Club of Columbia will be bringing the inaugural Fall Fest to historic downtown Columbia. This family-friendly event will feature food, local arts and crafts, music and activities for the young and young at heart.
The event will begin at 3:00 p.m. and go until 7:00 p.m. with all kinds of activities, entertainment and fun, including the Kiwanis Chili Cook-Off from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Kiwanis will be selling tickets at $10 per person to taste the different chili recipes entered into the contest, and all proceeds from the event will benefit their youth outreach programs, primarily focused on literacy. They are still looking for a few more teams to enter the competition. The cost for a booth is $100. Contact them here to enter the competition or to purchase a tasting ticket. Kiwanis Club of Columbia is the oldest civic organization in Columbia with a history that goes back more than 100 years.
There will also be food trucks on-site offering a wide selection of great fall cuisine, and the local downtown restaurants will also be open, with some offering special deals for those visiting the Fall Fest.
Support local artists and artisans by buying something at one of the many vendor booths that will be showing off their talents and providing an opportunity to sell their wares during the festival. There will be handmade items, vintage clothing and household items, custom hats, house plants, desserts and much more available for purchase.
Music will be provided by Majestic, a Journey Tribute band; Classic Vinyl; and Chief Smiley Ricks and the C-Town Special. Classic Vinyl is a Germantown, Tennessee-based band that plays soft rock classics from the 60s to the 80s. Chief Smiley Ricks has performed with countless musicians and traveled the world while touring with the legendary Dr. John. His current band was formed in July 2022. Drawing on a wide variety of musical styles and influences, this band has a sound and spirit uniquely its own.
McDonald’s Columbia, Caledonia Financial and Tenn Pin will be working with Kiwanis of Columbia as sponsors of the FUN Zone. This all-ages FUN ZONE will offer activities like arts and crafts, games, face painting and more.
The Fall Fest experience can be elevated by purchasing a VIP Experience ticket. Sponsored by Grinder’s Switch Winery, this special ticket will provide the purchaser with priority seating during the performances on stage; a swag bag with lots of local goodies and coupons, the use of an indoor restroom, and the use of a special refreshment lounge inside Caledonia Financial.
“Fall Fest is the perfect way to welcome the fall season in downtown Columbia,” says the Columbia Main Street Facebook. “Experience the joy and spirit of the season with local music, freshly made treats, handmade goods, and traditional fall festival activities.”
This new event joins a roster of others that put the focus on downtown Columbia, including Mule Day and the Columbia Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting, as well as the monthly First Friday events and Columbia Cars and Coffee.
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