Today’s opening of the Autumn Leaf Festival marks the 70th year for the annual event, a milestone that ALF chairwoman Jackie Griebel calls “quite an accomplishment” and one for which the Clarion Area Chamber of Business & Industry should be complimented.
This year, as in others, there will be a blend of traditional and new attractions.
“There are several new things … One that I am excited about is the Miss Junior Teen and Miss Teen ALF,” Griebel said of the event, which had a “fantastic” turnout of candidates and will be held tonight at 7 in the Clarion-Limestone High School auditorium.
In addition, she said, a unique petting zoo will be held at the Fulmer House from noon to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday.
“The cool thing is that it is a run by a rescue shelter from Warren and they do this to raise money for the shelter,” she said. “This is not a commercial petting zoo. They bring a wide variety of reptiles, birds and animals,” and volunteers from PennWest-Clarion’s animal rescue club will help.
During the Farmers and Crafters Day show on Friday, the parade on Oct. 7 and the tractor show on Oct. 8, a comfort station will be open near the Clarion County Courthouse to provide a place to change diapers or breast feed, according to Griebel. During the tractor show, the Wild Laurel Cloggers will make their ALF debut.
The festival begins today with the traditional United Way of Clarion County 5K and 10K race, starting at the PennWest-Clarion campus at 8 a.m. A rock concert will get underway at 6 this evening in front of the courthouse. And, a traditional favorite returns with Bortner Amusements opening a full carnival on Main Street in the area beside the courthouse.
A variety of food will be available. Many of the concessions can be found in Veterans Memorial Park and along Main Street.
Souvenirs and information on ALF can be obtained at the chamber office, 650 Main St., or at the chamber merchandise trailer on the courthouse lawn, which will be set up throughout the nine-day festival that ends Oct. 8.
To see a day-by-day schedule, go to clarionpa.com/events/autumn-leaf-festival/schedule-of-events.