There will be crafts, food, music, pumpkins and more at this year’s Fall-O-Rama.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at South Park.
“The goal is to have different events for different ages,” said Parks and Recreation Director Aaron Jenson.
For the second consecutive year, Fall-O-Rama is being organized by the Waupaca Friends of the Parks.
Jenson said this is the group’s largest fundraiser of the year.
More than 30 people volunteered last year, and quite a few signed up again this year, he said.
In addition, the third annual Waupaca Walk for Wellness is being held on the same day as Fall-O-Rama. It will begin at Lower South Park.
“We were very happy that Walk for Wellness wanted to do it the same weekend and change the route. It’ll bring a different crowd,” Jenson said.
The walk offers the option of walking one mile, a 5K or a 10K. That event starts at 8:30 a.m.
Fall O’ Rama begins at 9 a.m., with the opening of the craft vendors and food tent, and also the Hutchinson House Museum.
“I think we retained over 90 percent of the vendors from last year and have additional ones,” Jenson said.
He said many of vendors signed up for this year’s Fall-O-Rama when they were at last year’s event.
Also at 9 a.m., a Waupaca fire truck will arrive and the music by Dr. Dobbe will begin. Dr. Dobbe will play until 11:30 a.m.
The fire truck will be at the park all day, with Jaws of Life demonstrations scheduled by the department at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
There will be a performance by Pep in Your Step Dance Studio at 10 a.m., and at 10:30 a.m., the Waupaca FFA’s petting zoo will open.
Dizzy D Clown will be at Fall-O-Rama from 10:30 a.m. until 2 p.m.
WHS Band Instructor Mark Kryshak will lead his Dixieland Band at 11 a.m.
Also at 11 a.m., Jim Miller will begin carving pumpkins, with his demonstrations to take place until 2 p.m.
There will be the music of Rod Frankovis from noon until 3 p.m.
At 12;30 p.m., Sue Abrahamson, the children’s librarian at the Waupaca Area Public Library, will read a book about pumpkins on the Main Stage.
There will be a Tae Kwon Do demonstration by Becky Peterson’s students at 1 p.m., and WMS Band Instructor Greg Biba will lead a group of students for a 2 p.m. performance.
The Waupaca Senior Center will demonstrate Zumba at 2:45 p.m., line dancing at 3:15 p.m. and hooping at 3:45 p.m.
The food tent will feature brats, burgers, hotdogs, popcorn, hot chocolate and hot cider.
The Waupaca Lioness Club will sell coffee and pastries.
There will also be a farm market at the event.
“There’s tons of support from local sponsors,” Jenson said.
The more than $5,000 raised in sponsorships goes toward the cost of promotion, set up and materials, he said.
A committee within the Friends of the Parks group focuses on Fall-O-Rama.
“Volunteers helped organize the entire event,” Jenson said. “This event could not run without the volunteers who help organize it and the sponsorships.”
He is also excited that local organizations want to be part of it, saying they can raise funds for their own particular groups.
In addition, those who have not yet seen the park’s new pavilion and playground will get the chance to do so that day.
Parking will be available in the Upper South Park lot, as well as on area streets.
Those who have questions about the event may go to www.waupacafallorama.com or call the Parks and Recreation Department at 715-258-4435.