Looking for some fall fun before the season officially arrives next week?
Third annual edition of Hornell Partners for Growth Maple City Festival from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday is a family-friendly option with free games for the kids, plenty to eat and drink, music, dozens of craft vendors and a seasonal favorite, hay rides.
So while fall may not officially arrive until September 22nd, it will look and feel a lot like fall Saturday in downtown Hornell.
“It was originally called the ‘Maple City Fall Festival,’ but now we’ve changed it to the Maple City Festival because it’s not technically fall,” explained HPG Business Improvement District Manager Valorie Whitehill. “We decided (to celebrate) the third weekend in September.”
The festival took a major leap in popularity in 2021.
“It’s definitely getting bigger every year. There were huge crowds last year,” Whitehill said.
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Games and attractions for children and families are free. Non-profit groups and community organizations volunteer in many of the activities. It’s a way for groups to get involved while raising a few bucks through donations.
“They run the lines, they get their information,” Whitehill said. “It’s all free, but if (people) want to donate to these groups to help us, they’re more than welcome.”
Here are five things to enjoy in downtown Hornell during the Maple City Festival:
‘Tast of the Valley’ and AMVETS Tasting Tent
Local restaurants and food trucks sell hometown favorites and other treats like fried dough and caramel apples on the Hornell City Hall side of Main Street. After picking up your food, sit down and eat at a table set up under the tents on Main Street.
An AMVETS Riders tasting tent will feature cider, wine and craft beer. Five tastings for $10, with proceeds going to suicide prevention programs for veterans.
Get your game on at Broadway Mall
Broadway Mall will be a children’s zone with bounce houses, a double bounce slide, a bubble train and more.
Stop by the “Selfie Station” to take pictures with family and friends or take a perfect walk around town starting at the intersection of Hakes Avenue and Main Street.
Remember they are free and donations will be accepted for local organizations.
Cruize’n Time Car Show
Check out some classic cars at the Cruize’n Time Car Show in the Community Bank parking lot, corner of Seneca and Genesee Streets. The show is free for spectators. Registration for participants is from 8 a.m. to noon and the registration fee is $10. The car show will last until 3 pm
Concerts of ‘The Meat Cutters’ and ‘Shylock’
Local bands “The Meat Cutters” and “Shylock” will perform on the stage in front of the Town Hall.
“The Meat Cutters” continues at noon and “Shylock” will take the stage at 3 p.m.
Over 50 craft vendors at the Maple City Festival
Festival-goers looking to get an early start on their holiday shopping can check out the deals from more than 50 vendors located in the Main Street Cinema Section. Local shops and boutiques will also be open, many of which will have special sales for the festival.
Check out these other fall festivals
Hornell isn’t the only town with a festival this weekend.
The Canaseraga Autumn Harvest Festival it works both Saturday and Sunday at Vila Canaseraga Park. There is a full program of events and activities. Vendor sales begin at 10 a.m. both days.
Saturday’s events include a “Scarecrow Walk,” concerts, a silent auction, a pulled pork barbecue and “Canaseraga Idol.”
Sunday brings a car show, silent auction, chicken barbecue and the annual “Hairy Women of Klipnocky” contest at 1 p.m.
Looking ahead, it’s time to start making plans to attend 56th Annual Cohocton Fall Foliage Festival, from October 8 to 9. The theme of this year’s festival is “The Heart of Autumn”.
The Cohocton Fall Foliage Festival is a celebration of the magnificent surrounding hills in all their colorful splendor. Arts, crafts, a flea market, antiques and food vendors are featured on the Town and Village greens, 15 South Main St.
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