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The 2022 Hilltop Fall Festival is returning to downtown Rutherfordton on October 22 with plenty of fun for the community. Nearly 50 vendors will be on Main Street beginning at 10am and the fun concludes with fireworks at 8pm.
In addition to fireworks, there will be plenty of food, games for children, face painting, pumpkins painting and a dunking booth for some of the town's bravest personalities.
"As the first Hilltop Fall Festival in three years, I am proud that the Town of Rutherfordton has been able to put together a robust, action-filled event," said community development director Magnolia Long.
The festival was canceled for the last three years due to the global pandemic.
"This will be my first festival that I get to experience in the Town of Rutherfordton and I am excited to join with the community to enjoy Hilltop and all it has to offer."
Mayor Jimmy Dancy said he is equally excited as Rutherfordton's Hilltop festival returns.
"We should have vendors galore and activities for families to enjoy. After an extended time without an event on Main, we are excited to welcome everyone back for a fun day. You may even see me in the dunking booth."
Dancy joins Town Manager Doug Barrick in the dunking booth at 3pm.
The dunking booth begins at 11am and concludes at 4:30pm. Also sharing in the "cool" water event will be Sgt. Logan Cope, Aaron Ellenburg, Chief Clint Ingle, Lt. Joey Holland, DA Ted Bell, Coach Nicole Hanson, FF Tyson Samuel, Julie Green, Keith Ward, Sheriff Chris Frances at 4:30pm, Sam Rhodes. Donations will be received for an opportunity to dunk one of the personalities and all donations will go to the annual Shop With a Cop- an event sponsored by Rutherfordton Police where needy children are taken shopping for Christmas.
Barrick said the "Hilltop Fall Festival has been the true kick-off to fall in our community, a time to gather, celebrate, build community and have fun on Main Street, this year's festival is going to be a true family-friendly fun experience and we can't wait to see all the smiling faces on Main Street. My favorite part of the Fall Festival has always been the roasted corn sold by the Rutherfordton Fire and Rescue Dept and just the smiling faces. It's so fun to see people connecting and enjoying Downtown."
"We encourage folks to enjoy the festival and an evening on Main Street. Main Street around the courthouse area will be the best viewing for the fireworks this year," Barrick added.
Other entertainment on the courthouse lawn will include Main Event Dance Company at 11am and at 12pm the R-S Middle Cheerleaders will perform.
The Rutherfordton Police Department will operate a "drunk driving simulator" on Second Street and NC Wildlife will conduct a pellet trailer beginning at 10am.
Norris Public Library will have pumpkin painting beginning at 10am and the annual book sale will be held on the lawn of the library throughout the festival.
Wrestling exhibitions on Trade Street are at 1pm and at 3pm.
The day promises to be a good time for children of every age.
There are 48 crafts and crafts vendors, 13 food vendors, 30 nonprofit vendors and 36 network/info/business/political booths.
