Limited ALF will carry on

There will be a limited Autumn Leaf Festival this year from Oct. 1-3.

Tracy Becker, executive director of the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry, said most of the events have been moved to the Clarion Mall in Monroe Township after Clarion Borough Council rejected a special events permit from the chamber.

“After we found out our permit was rejected by the council we contacted the Clarion Mall and talked to them about using the mall parking lot,” Becker said. “We are grateful to the owners of the mall for allowing us to use it.”

This isn’t the first time this year the chamber has moved an event to the mall. The “I Love Clarion” event in July was moved to the mall parking lot.

The Autumn Leaf Festival usually brings in visitors from a wide area, but organizers have decided to keep things local this year because of the coronavirus.

When Becker learned of Clarion Borough’s permit rejection, she had to contact all the food vendors, crafters and others who had already registered for the event.

“I had 195 crafters signed up by the end of July. We were on track to be sold out by August,” said Becker. “We contacted the crafters after we knew we had to cancel and gave them a choice.”

She said about 60 percent of the crafters allowed the chamber to keep their deposit and use it toward next year’s deposit. Others asked for a refund and others signed up for the virtual crafter show.

“It has been a tough year for the crafters. They have no place to display their work,” she said.

“What has been great is that most of our sponsors said to use the money toward this year’s festival or hold it for next year,” Becker added.

“I think people understand,” said Becker. “There is not one person who has not been affected by the virus.”

Becker said she was in a meeting last week “and several business leaders said they were happy we were moving forward with the festival.”

Some of the items associated with the festival will still be available, Becker said.

The traditional ALF glasses will be available but in limited numbers. Becker said the pre-ordered glasses have sold out but some of the stores will have glasses for sale.

Becker also said about 750 souvenir T-shirts will be available.

A new souvenir item will be a three and one half inch numbered button for $10, A drawing will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, and the winners will receive $67. The grand prize winner will receive $670 to recognize the 67th ALF.

The festival will open Thursday, Oct. 1, with a sidewalk sale on Main Street in Clarion. Becker said this would give the downtown merchants an opportunity to exhibit their goods and invite people into the stores.

Becker noted the event doesn’t include outside vendors and isn’t a replacement for the usual Crafters Day. The sidewalk sales will continue Friday and Saturday, Oct. 2 and 3.

Becker said several downtown businesses had contacted her about allowing food vendors downtown.

“I was told by the council president that as long as the vendors were on private property, it would be permissible,” she said.

The popular food vendors will be located at the mall on Friday, but Becker said there won’t be as many as in previous years. A cornhole tournament will also be held Friday from 6 to 8 p.m., and that will be followed by a karaoke night.

Saturday includes a touch-a-truck event, a kids carnival, a car show, a live concert and an oldies concert. Becker said the carnival won’t have rides.

“If we can raise $6,000 we will have fireworks at the end,” she said.

“There will be no indoor events due to the governor’s order,” said Becker.

Becker said Allegheny Toyota remained as the principal sponsor and will be bring its cars to the mall.

Becker understands that parking may be a problem.

“Parking is always a problem but we feel that by using the mall parking lot we should have enough parking for everyone,” she said.

Becker said social distancing will be in effect and people are requested to wear masks. There will be four comfort stations on the mall lot, one in each corner.

Hand sanitizer stations will be placed at various points.

“If you feel comfortable in coming out that’s great,” said Becker.