The Arnold Fall Festival returns this Saturday with a full day of activities planned throughout the community.
The festival has been back in Arnold for several years after being brought back as a way to provide another opportunity for residents and visitors to gather, enjoy the community and have some fun. Organizers say the event has continued to grow each year, and they’re hoping to keep that momentum going this weekend.
Activities begin in the morning with a fun run and walk at the Arnold Recreation Park, followed by a variety of activities leading into the parade at 11 a.m. The parade will include judging for the best decorative float and most patriotic entry, and anyone with a tractor, car, hay wagon or other entry is encouraged to simply show up and join in.
The afternoon will include food, vendors, games and activities for kids, including bounce houses, a spider wall and glitter tattoos. There will also be turtle races, slippery kickball and the annual Aardvark Hunt, which gets underway early Saturday morning. A clue for the Aardvark Hunt can be found in the Arnold Sentinel, with $200 in Chamber Bucks going to those who find it.
The Rialto Theater will also be showing Young Washington throughout the weekend. The movie, narrated by Kelsey Grammer, will be available to festival-goers at no charge, with concessions available for purchase.
RT Green, who helped bring the festival back to Arnold, said the growth of the event has been encouraging and that this year’s schedule offers plenty of reasons for people to make the trip.
“It’s every year it’s expanded. Six years ago or seven years ago actually, I was at Callaway Pioneer Days and was seeing the stuff they had going on in the park, and I got to talking to a couple of folks, and they said, ‘Well, Arnold used to have a festival downtown with carnival and everything else.’ I said, ‘Well, I wonder what happened to that.’ And I started asking people around and (it) just kind of went by the wayside and I said, ‘Well, let’s try to see what we can do,'” said Green.
Green is expecting what could be the festival’s biggest crowd yet and said the event is ultimately about giving people a reason to come togehter.
“Bring your lawn chair, have fun at the park, have a little bit to eat, visit with your neighbors, play some games. Should all be a good day,” Green said.
Listen to our full remote broadcast from Arnold talking all things Arnold Fall Festival here:
