St. Ignace
Fall Festival Is Expanded This Year

St. Ignace's Autumn Apple Day, to be held Saturday, October 6, has been renamed to St. Ignace Bayside Fall Fest and will feature more activities for the entire family this year, including apple bingo, a walking tour and scavenger hunt, and live music at the St. Ignace Public Marina.

"Our goal is to build it into more of a fall festival," said Chamber of Commerce Director Janet Peterson. "This year, we've added more to the event, providing fun events at our marina under the new tents."

The tents were purchased by the Visitors Bureau and are available to rent by the public for events and special occasions.

At 10 a.m., the Gros Cap School Parent-Teacher Organization will be selling pumpkins across from City Hall on North State Street. St. Ignace Schools Parent-Teacher Organization will hold a bake sale, as well, in front of the First National Bank.

Hay wagon rides, a walking tour and scavenger hunt for all ages, led by local resident Barb Wilkins, and a pumpkin decorating contest, in which St. Ignace elementary students will compete for votes for the best-looking pumpkin, will begin at 11 a.m. The contest will be judged by event participants, who will place change in a cup next to their chosen pumpkin. The money collected will be donated to charity.

Participants will have an opportunity to ride a Belgian draft horse from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

At 2 p.m., people will gather at Goudreau Hill next to City Hall to participate in the annual pumpkin roll, in which children send pumpkins rolling down the hill. Prizes are awarded.

Live music will be provided at the marina afterward. The Irish music band "Just Jill" will perform from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. A beer tent will be available at the marina for adults, while children can enjoy root beer. Free apple cider and doughnut holes will be offered, as well.

Other entertainment will include a karaoke contest, apple bingo, and a children's bounce house and slide.

A scarecrow decorating contest will be held among downtown businesses that are members of the Chamber of Commerce. The winner will be chosen during the day's events.

The weekly Farmers Market will be offered that Saturday on its usual schedule, from 10 a.m. to noon at the marina.