October Fest promises food, fun and entertainment aplenty

A plethora of pumpkins await painting at Saturday's October Festival. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - Rochester Main Street Volunteers are pleased to announce the stage and events schedules for the eighth annual Rochester October Festival scheduled for Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Hanson Street and in Central Square in downtown Rochester.

This year's family fun event features a "Mile High Apple Pie " contest to see who has bragging rights for the best apple pie in town. Entries may be left at the Main Street Booth no later than 10:30 a.m. for judging at 10:45. Winner receives a medal and $25 cash prize.

Prior to the festival Monarch School of New England will hold a Charity Bike Ride/Walk leaving from it's new location behind city hall. Participants may choose between a 4 mile walk, or 15 or 25 mile bicycle course along a spectacular route showcasing fall foliage. You may save money and pre-register online at www.monarchschoolcharitybikeride.com. Day of event registrations will start at 8:30 a.m. behind city hall on Columbus Avenue.

Captain Fiddle and the Crawdad Wranglers Cajun Zydeco Band will take the main stage from 10 am to 1 pm, celebrating the opening of the festival! Main Stage events include dance performances by Studio 109 at 1 p.m. and Corinne's School of Dance at 1:25 p.m., both at the main stage area. Local vocalists The Heberts will take the stage from 2-2:35 p.m., followed by Brain Munger at 2:40 p.m. and winding up with Jim Danger at 3:20.

Children can enjoy the pumpkin patch and painting sponsored by Convenient MD of Dover, or the Traveling Barnyard sponsored by Holy Rosary Credit Union, a bounce house, or the children's Pie Eating or Donut-on-a-string contest sponsored by Hervey's Tire. The Rochester Historical Museum will be holding an open house with exhibits on World War II and the Rochester Fair, along with a special "What Is It?" display. There will be local craftspeople, games by Spaulding High School student organizations, food booths, exhibits, and more.

Happy Pappy's will be on hand with their special hand cut fires and Magrilla's will be grilling up sausages in front of their restaurant.

Volunteers are still needed, and it's not too late to enter a booth for crafts, art, food or your business. On line registration forms are available at www.rochestermainstreet.org/aboutus/forms&documents. Free parking is available nearby at the Union Street, Congress Street, City Hall and North Main Street Parking Lots and there is no admission fee. For more information on October Festival or to sign up to participate, please contact the Rochester Main Street Office at 603-330-3208 or email director@rochestermainstreet.org. The contact number the day of the event is 603-781-7116.

The festival is underwritten by Bank of New Hampshire.