PADUCAH, KY - Everyone is invited to attend the Fountain Avenue Fall Festival on Saturday evening, October 20 from 5 until 8 pm at Lang Park, located at the circle on Fountain Avenue.  The family-oriented festival includes free food including the roasting of hot dogs, games, hay rides, a jack-o-lantern contest, scarecrow building, costume contest with three categories (scariest, best costume (12 and under), and best costume (13 and older).

There will also be storytelling, and the showing of the animated movie “How to Train Your Dragon” (rated PG) at dusk on the inflatable screen. 

It is free to attend the festival.

 

The partnerships that have made the Fountain Avenue Neighborhood Revitalization Project a success are receiving national recognition at the festival with the presentation of a $20,000 national award from the MetLife Foundation.  The award recognizes Paducah’s innovation in promoting community safety through strategic economic development and creative partnerships.  Mayor Bill Paxton says, “The Paducah Board of Commissioners and the Planning Department have been committed to revitalizing the Fountain Avenue Neighborhood.  But to achieve the great success that we have seen in that neighborhood, it has taken the strength of partnerships.  The Paducah Police Department committed itself to the project with targeted patrols, educational efforts, and an increased presence.  The Police Department’s efforts in addition to the enthusiasm and hard work by the Midtown Alliance of Neighbors have led to a neighborhood that is safe, attractive, bustling with construction projects, and full of families eager to meet their neighbors.” 

 

On display during festival will be the entries from the jack-o-lantern contest.  Carve your pumpkin and bring it to the Parks Services Department located at 1400 H.C. Mathis Drive by 5 pm on Friday, October 19.  The first pumpkin is free to enter.  Each additional pumpkin entry costs $1.  The top five jack-o-lanterns will receive prizes.  Come view the winners and vote for your favorite at the festival.

 

Pre-registration with the Parks Department is required to participate in the scarecrow building event.  The cost to participate is $10 with the Parks Department providing the scarecrow forms, basically the skeleton, for the first 50 pre-registered participants.  Each participant should bring clothes to dress their scarecrow.

 

Also, during the weekend, enjoy the Fountain Avenue Area Fall Tour of Homes on Saturday, October 20, from noon until 4 pm.  The tour of more than a dozen locations costs $10.  Tickets are available starting at 11:30 am at the table set up on the lawn of Fountain Avenue United Methodist Church.  A shuttle bus will be available.  Proceeds benefit the Midtown Alliance of Neighbors.  On Sunday, October 21, at 2 pm Margaret Hank Cumberland Presbyterian Church is holding a Corn Hole Tournament with proceeds benefitting the Midtown Alliance of Neighbors and McNabb Elementary Kids Company Too.

 

The Fountain Avenue Fall Festival and associated weekend activities are brought to you thanks to community partnerships between the Paducah Planning, Parks Services, and Police Departments; Fountain Avenue United Methodist Church; Margaret Hank Memorial Cumberland Presbyterian Church; Four Rivers New Covenant Church; Midtown Alliance of Neighbors; and neighborhood residents.


Article provided by Pam Spencer, City of Paducah Information Officer.