Annual Fall Festival hosted by Clarke County Sheriff’s Office returns Oct. 25

As the fall weather and colorful leaves begin to take over Athens, the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office prepares to host its third annual fall festival, a free family-friendly community event to celebrate the fall season and Halloween. 

“I am very excited about this fall festival event at the Clarke County’s Sheriff Office, I can not wait to see everyone’s costumes and be able to engage with our community,” Marilen Rodriguez-Antunez, a nurse at Piedmont Athens Regional and Clarke Central Alumni, said.

Last year, the festival attracted more than 2,500 attendees. 20 ACC government departments and community partners such as the ACC district attorney’s office, Project SAFE, and Georgia Army National Guard were present at the event. 

This year’s fall festival will occur on Friday, Oct. 25, from 5 p.m to 9 p.m at 2900 County Farm Rd. The festival will not be allowing most individuals to use the sheriff’s office parking lot, asking attendees to park at the Eastside Walmart or Satterfield Park and take the free ACC transit shuttle buses to and from the event to avoid congestion. However, handicap parking will be allowed on County Farm Road. Attendees planning to use the shuttle buses to and from the festival will board ACC bus routes 25 and 27 to travel from the East Side Walmart or Satterfield Park to the festival. 

Admission is free and no registration is needed to attend the festival. The sheriff’s office encourages attendees to bring canned food or non-perishable items to donate to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia. 

Activities and refreshments will be available at the festival, including mini ponies from The Rescue at Spirit Ridge Farm, a hayride, a free hotdog dinner, and a trapeze performance from Canopy Studio. The CCSO aims to give out more than 1,500 bags filled with several treats and candies. 

“I really love this whole festival, because it brings people together, and not just people,  different organizations that people need to know and get comfortable with,” Pinewoods Library Director Evelyn A. Rushing said.. “I feel like it’s a great way to reach out and engage with the community, but it also is a great way for organizations to connect between them.” 

The annual fall festival has been made possible in the last two years with  sponsorship from area businesses. This year’s Gold Level Sponsors for the festival include Kalki Yalmanchili for District Attorney, Main Street Family Care, and RW Allen Construction. Publix, Athens Janitor Supply, and College Pro Landscaping are Silver Level Sponsors. Athens Ford, Athens Coca-Cola, and Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty are Presenting Level Sponsors.

“My favorite part of the Fall Festival is getting to see the joy in the eyes of the children and teens who attend. I love seeing the pride in the eyes of our staff,” Public Information Media Analyst for the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office Keith Sims said.