The GEARS Fall Festival is an annual tradition that allows us to serve the community while bringing together groups of all ages to enjoy fall-themed activities and create memories with their friends and families," said Karrie Norman, GEARS program coordinator. "It also gives the local students an opportunity to be creative, develop leadership and work together to engage and provide value to their community."

The 15th annual GEARS Fall Festival will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Elizabethtown Fairgrounds, 900 E. High St.

Fall-themed activities will include pumpkin golf, pumpkin painting, a haunted barn with age-appropriate scare levels, line dancing and hayrides. A variety of inflatables, including a bounce house, big slide and obstacle course, will also be featured, along with barrel train rides.

"There is also family bingo sponsored by Elizabethtown Senior Center," Norman stated. "Students of the E-town Middle School Student Council will be hosting many free carnival-style games and activities. E-town College students will be hosting several tables of activities and games as part of their 'Gliding Into the Streets' day of community volunteer service."

 Several food and beverage vendors will participate in the festival, including Philly Cheesesteak Co. on the Roll, which will sell cheesesteaks, fries, boneless wings, mozzarella sticks, coconut shrimp and sodas; M.A.D. BBQ with brisket, pork, beans, mac and cheese, coleslaw and chips; Extra Rice PA, offering meat and vegan options over rice, tocino spam musubi, lumpia (Filipino egg rolls) and halo-halo (shaved ice with fruits/beans, ice cream, evaporated and condensed milk); Ginger Gypsy's Bar, serving freshly squeezed lemonade; and Hitch Coffee with specialty coffees.

There is no admission charge for the festival, and many of the activities are free of charge. For activities that have a cost, people may purchase individual tickets or a wristband to cover all fees. New this year, play-all-day bingo wristbands will entitle people to play up to three cards during the entire festival.

The festival is truly a community event, Norman said, with local businesses sponsoring it and local students providing entertainment.

"DDMP is the event sponsor. Member's 1st FCU is an activity sponsor, and several other local businesses are generously sponsoring various inflatables and activities," she said, directing people to the GEARS website and social media for a full list of sponsors. "Students have been working hard to prepare activities for all to enjoy, so stop by, take advantage of the many free activities and share in the excitement of the fall season."

The GEARS Fall Festival will be held rain or shine. For more information, visit http://www.getintogears.org or follow GEARS on Facebook.

This event is not sponsored by the Elizabethtown Area School District, and the district assumes no liability for the event including its content, conduct or any associated outcomes.