Autumnfest returns to Princeton Saturday

Charles Owens, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, W.Va.
Updated ·3 min read

Sep. 28—PRINCETON — The Princeton Autumnfest is returning Saturday to the Mercer Street Grassroots District.

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and once again this year is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the two Virginias.

More than 100 vendors will be participating in Autumnfest, Jeff Disibbio, president and executive director of the Chamber of Commerce of the Two Virginias, said Wednesday.

This is the 17th year of Autumnfest, which generally draws a crowd of thousands to downtown Princeton.

"I think we will have a fantastic crowd," Disibbio said. "Obviously the number of vendors is going to help and should be an attraction to the people in the area to see who is displayed."

Disibbio said about 20 different locations will be serving food this year, and most of the downtown restaurants and retail stores will be open as well.

"We are trying to drive people to small businesses that are there on a daily basis as well as providing a fun event for the community to come out and see each other and experience some of the local artisans that aren't necessarily brick and mortar businesses as well," Disibbio said. "So we truly appreciate our many sponsors who continue to make this an event that grows every year, provides opportunities for the small businesses and allows us to give back to the community with free events such as the Kids Zone, which has free bounce houses and a foam party, as well as the pumpkin pie eating contest and the pumpkin painting for kids."

This year's attractions will include the Kids Zone with free bounce houses; a classic car show; a dog show with various categories; live music; a pumpkin pie eating contest; pumpkin bowling; a pumpkin painting contest; a senior zone; and much more.

Sponsors this year include Grant's Supermarket, which is sponsoring the pumpkin contests; Princeton Health Care, which is providing the senior zone; King's Tire Service, which is sponsoring the auto show; the city of Princeton, which is handling the Kid's Zone; City National Bank, which is a general sponsor; Xfinity, which is a general sponsor; and A.L.I.V.E., which is sponsoring the dog show.

Also this year the Mercer County WIC/Women, Infants, Children Program will be offering free locally grown fruits and vegetables at AutumnFest.

WIC is the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. Mercer County WIC staff will be using a secure online system Saturday to accept applications for those interested in applying to the WIC Program.

"We truly appreciate the opportunity to set up at AutumnFest this year," local agency director Heather McCoy said Thursday. "We look forward to meeting families within our community and talking to them about what we do, as well as seeing the familiar faces of those who we have come to know through their participation in the WIC Program."

Autumnfest vendors are expected this year from several states, including Tennessee, Virginia and, of course, West Virginia, Disibbio said.

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com

— Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com. Follow him @BDTOwens