by Carrie Steinweg
LANSING, Ill. (October 2, 2019) – Lansing Autumn Fest returns October 11-13 for a weekend of fall fun. Festival Chair Dan Centracchio is anticipating a successful and smooth year as the event returns for the second time to the upgraded Fox Pointe location.
“This time of year a lot of other communities have finished their festivals,” said Centracchio. “The kids are back in school and it’s that one last hurrah before the cold weather sets in.” After a full season of summer concerts, Centracchio said that people have become accustomed to using the facility and will have better accessibility to the grounds with the absence of plastic fencing this year.
“We are very pleased that Fox Pointe is now ready for Autumn Fest,” said Mayor Patty Eidam. “The Village of Lansing is happy to partner with L.A.C.E. as they bring back this extremely popular event.”
One of the biggest components of the fest is entertainment, which will be enhanced the year by large video screens beside the stage. The screens will run band-related video or sponsor ads. “We are excited about the variety of entertainment planned for Lansing Autumn Fest this year,” said Entertainment Chair Jenny Polley. “We have been able to include a few acts that were popular from last year as well as artists who grew up in Lansing. This year we will have entertainment not only on the main stage and in the Kids Zone, but also in the pavilion and strolling throughout the fest grounds. Groups from both TF South and Memorial Junior High will be performing, and we are hoping to get the crowd up and moving with dueling pianos and line dance instruction.”
The headliner for Friday night is Lansing native Brian Grilli, who filmed a 2016 video called “My Hometown” at several locations in Lansing. Other bands performing during the fest include Cadillac Groove and Latin Satin Soul. Centracchio reminds fest-goers to bring chairs for the grassy area in front of the stage as was done for the summer concert series.
The Kids Zone will feature pumpkin decorating, inflatables, carnival games, a reptile show, a magician, craft tables, and more. Wristbands can be purchased for all-day play in the bouncy house. The TF South Rebel Players will introduce a scene from the school’s fall musical, Chicago.
Saturday begins with a pancake breakfast at the American Legion, prepared by members of the Lansing Copper Muggers. “It’ll be $5 per person, and you can donate to pay for breakfast for a veteran or first responder,” said Centracchio. Following breakfast is a tribute to military, veterans, and first responders on the main stage at Fox Pointe.
In the marketplace, guests will find goods and hand-made products from about 50 vendors selling everything from jewelry to candles to crocheted pieces.
There will be big variety in the food area, where Centracchio said they’re expecting more than a dozen vendors serving up hot dogs, tacos, pretzels, burgers, kabobs, paninis, pierogi, shrimp, schnitzel, shaved ice, nachos, elephant ears, and more.
For more details on Autumn Fest 2019, view the ad on the back page of the October print issue, or visit lansinglace.com.
