Landis Fall Festival offers lots of fun; draws large crowd
Published 12:10 am Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Sisters Amber James, left, and Crystal Branem enjoyed the event and seeing all the costumes and children at the event. Karen Kistler photo
Shouts of laughter could be heard as children came down the inflatable slide. Karen Kistler photo
Ruby Rodriguez pets some of the animals at the petting zoo at the trunk or treat area. Karen Kistler photo
Michelle Gray, right, chair of the D.C. Linn Park shows the fundraiser raffle tickets to Kyle Robinson, treasurer of the partnering 501(c)(3). Karen Kistler photo
The line to participate in the trunk or treat stretched for blocks. Karen Kistler photo
All ages had fun on the train that went around the park. Karen Kistler photo
Palmer Shoaf, who came to the festival as Dorothy from the WIzard of Oz, enjoys her cool treat. Karen Kistler photo
Ella-May Benfield who dressed as Cinderella, gets some candy from Debbie Landis at her booth. Karen Kistler photo
Human Resources Director Madison Stegall, left, and Town Manager Michael Ambrose greet people as they come to the festival. Karen Kistler photo
Wonder Woman Valkyrie Clark collects some giveaways at a festival booth. Karen Kistler photo
Eise Grimes, front and Kailyn Grimes, had fun at the face painting booth. Karen Kistler photo
Landis Fire Chief Jason Smith and Landis Police Chief Matthew Geelen gave out goodies during the annual festival. Karen Kistler photo
LANDIS — The line of people and vendors stretched for blocks on Central Avenue in Landis, and the crowd was still arriving to enjoy Landis’ annual Fall Festival and trunk or treat.
Additional vendors as well as a kids’ zone were set up in the DC and France Linn Park, which was buzzing with activity with children sliding down the inflatables or walking through the Landis Fire Department Safety House.
Families were also riding the merry-go-round or taking a train ride through one area of the park where they got out and visited the pumpkin patch where each family could select one pumpkin to take home.
Another popular area was the face and hair painting booth as children and youth waited to get that special design marking their time at the event.
This annual festival has been around for many years, at least 10, said Michael Ambrose, Landis town manager, offering lots of fun for the entire family.
As the family made their way to all the activities, Lynn Soto said the fact that it’s outdoors was what she enjoyed about coming to the festival.
In the past, he said, approximately 1,000 attendees have attended the festival and this year, 1,500 were anticipated to be there, attributing the numbers to the great weather and advertisement of the event.
Craft vendors and multiple food truck options lined North Central Avenue, where attendees could get a meal or a nice cold slushie or lemonade as they walked and took in all the sights and sounds.
Palmer Shoaf, dressed as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, was enjoying one of the cold treats and said she had been having fun.
On South Central Avenue, trunk or treat was available with numerous owners standing by their decorated cars passing out candy to the children.
Lanie McPherson, Carolina Ordonez and Yreni Ramirez had a small basketball hoop for the children to try their hand at throwing the ball and receiving candy. McPherson said the day was fun and she loved kids.
Liberty Dettery tried her hand at throwing that ball where she got to receive some candy. She said the trick-or-treating was her favorite part of the day.
Ambrose said he brings his children to the event, and they have a great time with the kid’s zone and trunk or treat.
He also said he enjoys seeing the unique costumes and connecting with citizens of the community.
Amber James and her sister Crystal Branem were there dressed in their costumes and said what they enjoyed about attending was “being with kids and seeing all the awesome costumes.”
And, a wide variety of costumes could be seen as multiple superheroes were there including Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Wonder Woman and several Ninja Turtles.
One didn’t have to go far to see just as many princesses or catch sight of Dorothy, several firemen, Harry Potter and witches and others.
New to the festival this year was a comedy magician, Great Scott, who entertained all attendees through the event.
Booths manned by members of the Landis Police and Fire Departments providing giveaways were there along with one for the DC and Frances Linn Park fundraiser.
Michelle Gray, the chair for the DC and Frances Linn Community Park, said they were having their inaugural fundraiser at the festival where they were offering a raffle, she said, “with many gifts given by the community and different community organizations.”
They were also having their Community Legacy Brick fundraiser giving people the opportunity to purchase a brick for $100 to honor their family or $75 to honor a veteran.
Landis staff members organized the event with businesses in the community and surrounding areas who served as event sponsors, said Ambrose. Local businesses and organizations also participated in the event.
He expressed thanks to the sponsors, the businesses for their participation, trunk or treat participants, and Landis staff “for the success of the event.”
Jessica St. Martin, who served as director of the event, “enjoys decorating for it and finding a variety of unique food vendors for the event,” he said.
The festival is a special time and Ambrose said “it is a unique free event for the community and staff to come together in great celebration of the fall season. This is our largest event of the season, and we enjoy spending time with our residents and children.”
