Hilltop Fall Festival Saturday, October 3rd

While fall begins Sept. 23, it's not officially fall in Rutherford County until the Hilltop Fall Festival in Rutherfordton. This year the festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 3.

"This year will be our 43rd year," said Cindy Adair, director of Rutherford Town Revitalization, which organizes the event each year. "Our Hilltop Fall Festival is one of the oldest running continuous festivals in the state."

The event kicks off with the Overmountain Victory Trail 5K, where runners of all ages are invited to follow in the footsteps of the Overmountain Men, following along a portion of the path the Revolutionary War participants marched to the Battle of Kings Mountain. The race begins at 8 a.m., starting at the corner of Court and Main Streets and continuing through downtown. Proceeds from this race will help fund construction of the Overmountain Victory Trail, a path that will enhance the existing trails system. For more information and an application, visit rutherfordoutdoor.org.

Bicyclists can also get in on the action with the 11th Annual Tour de Pumpkin. The Tour de Pumpkin bicycle ride is presented by the Rutherford Outdoor Coalition. The ride features 50K and 100K distances. Pre-registration for the ride is $20; day of registration is $25. Proceeds from the ride will benefit Rutherford Housing Partnership and trail development in Rutherford County. Those who would like to take part can download an application from rutherfordtown.com, myrutherfordton.com or rutherfordoutdoor.org.

The annual festival features a variety of performance groups and vendors of all kinds. "We'll have lots of arts and crafts vendors, so be thinking about Christmas gifts," she said.

The festival gives community organizations an opportunity put a spotlight on their offerings as well, Adair added. "We will have booths from local non-profits and schools, and it's really a chance for them to share their information in the community."

Games for children are planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Main Street Park. Adair said there will be a bear magnet craft, pumpkin sand art necklaces and scratch art leaves to be made and a poke a pumpkin game, pumpkin ring toss, pumpkin bowling and pumpkin patch match game.

Back by popular demand is a bull riding simulator for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages, bounce houses and a NASCAR simulator.

Businesses along Main Street will be open, Adair said, with special events of their own. Great Expectations Books will host author Kim Church who will be outside the store signing copies of her book "Byrd" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For those looking for festival foods, there will be plenty of selection Adair said. Snow cones, homemade ice cream and barbecue sandwiches will be available as well as unique offerings like beignets.

The fall festival marks the beginning of fall fun in downtown Rutherfordton. Trick-or-treaters are invited to take part in Trick or Treat on Main on Saturday, Oct. 31, beginning at 4 p.m. Candy will be given out and children's games held in Main Street Park (or inside Woodrow Jones Community Building in the event of rain.) This year the community is invited to set up for trunk-or-treat as well. More information about Halloween can be found by visiting rutherfordtown.com.