For the first time in over a decade, Benton will host a Fall Festival Saturday.
Benton Chamber of Commerce Executive Karen Mullins said city officials suggested the festival be revived, and inspiration came from the similar event held in West City.
“Last year we brought back the Festival of Lights,” Mullins said. “The community response was so great, we looked at other past events and decided to bring back the Fall Festival."
“West City does an amazing festival for their community," she said. "So we wanted to do something similar for ours.”
Saturday’s events - which include trick-or-treating, a barbecue fundraiser, costume contest and more - will begin around 4 p.m. and are scheduled to end around 10 p.m.
One exception is the tours of the historic jail museum, set to start at 10 a.m. Most events are free, however Mullins noted there will be a charge for the laser tag and petting zoo.
Planning began in late July, and Benton City Clerk Brook Craig took a leadership role. Soon, the event grew to 17 attractions.
The Benton Consolidated High School History Club, sponsored by teacher Jason Hobbs, will open the weekend a “Living History Night” at the Benton Public Library on Friday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Library director Susan Stickel said that this is her third time to host.
“I can’t say enough about what a good job they do. I would encourage everyone to come by and support our students,” she said.
Mullins says the community support has been “fantastic.” Promotional materials for the event include more than 30 local sponsors. She said organizers are expecting several hundred people through the course of the evening.
“We’re reaching out to people through social and print media as well as the schools,” she said. “We hope everyone has a great night and comes out to celebrate with us. We want to build on it for next year.”
