Purchase this image
C hristopher La Flamme and the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce are gearing up to provide the community with an afternoon of free entertainment.
The second annual Fall Free Fest will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8 in the Skenesborough Park.
This community event features a host of free entertainment including children’s activities, giveaways food and live music.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” said La Flamme. “The town responded to it so well last year that they decided to make it part of their annual schedule of events. The morale and support that has been shown this year have been great.”
La Flamme said this year has the potential to be even better with more businesses pitching in to help support the event.
“Chris did it last year on his own; it was his brainchild and he approached us looking for businesses who might be willing to share in the event,” Bethe Reynolds, Chamber President said. “I can’t wait. We’ve had a wonderful response from local businesses.”
About a dozen local businesses and several local organizations have agreed to partner together and sponsor this year’s event.
Organizers are hoping double last year’s attendance when nearly 300 people showed up.
Like last year’s event, those who attend the Fall Free Festival will be given the chance to win a variety of prizes donated by several local businesses. Last year more than $3,000 in items were given away to a host of lucky attendees.
La Flamme said this year many of the giveaways will be gift certificates to local businesses like MacLeods, Dockside Jewelers and his own store, to name a few.
There will also be plenty of food and refreshments. Local Boy Scout Troop 83 will serve up a variety of food, including pizza, hot dogs and other delicacies and several other groups will offer a variety of food as well.
There will also be a cake walk, which Reynolds said has been “very popular” in the past.
The event will also feature several opportunities to give back to a few community organizations. Organizers will be collecting food for the Whitehall Food Pantry, which is sorely in need of non-perishable goods. And the Chamber is partnering with the Skene Manor to raise donations to purchase a new Welcome sign for the downtown water-side business district.
Reynolds said they hope a new sign will increase the exposure of businesses along Main Street and draw in motorists passing through town. She said the Chamber is trying to work toward having new signs at each entry point to the village.
Besides giveaways, food and a chance to give back, there will be a bouncy house for children and live music.
Mayor Peter Telisky and his fellow Boxcar band mates are set to entertain local audiences.
Anyone who would like to donate gifts and prizes for giveaways is encouraged to contact LaFlamme or Reynolds.
Comments
Read more in this week's Times in newsstands now or click here to read right now with our e-edition.
