NAMA Preps for First Fall Festival

With fall making its arrival, a few members of the North Andover Merchants Association gathered at a table at Camelot Pub -- in the North Andover Knights of Columbus facility -- to grind away at details for an event they hope would do the town proud.

The Fall Festival will be held on the Grounds of the Knights of Columbus, 505 Sutton St., on Saturday, Sept. 24, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"We need to get good weather, and we need to get people here," NAMA President Richard Vaillancourt said.

While there isn't much that can be done about the weather in New England, NAMA members are pulling out all the stops to pull in crowds. The day will be packed with games, food, live bands a haunted house, a helicopter, a plane, an antique fire truck, a pony and more than 30 vendors. will also be raising money for the Santa Parade.

This will be the first Fall Festival for NAMA, and the idea evolved from a simple idea to sell produce.

"Initially we had the idea for a farmers market," NAMA Secretary Phil DeCologero said. "We toyed with idea of doing it at Bradstreet School, and we reached out to Pat (Roche, NAMA Board member) because Pat owned a farm."

But when considering the variety of merchants in NAMA, the group decided a weekly farmers market would be too restrictive and opted to organize a one-day, more-inclusive event. And thus was born the Fall Festival.

NAMA decided to have the event at the Knights of Columbus because of the space of the property -- four acres, believe it or not -- and the location. And Roche does a lot of work with the Knights so it worked out. And it allowed Roche to turn the pub into a house of horror.

"This haunted house is amazing," Roche said, looking around the soon-to-be-spookified lounge. "We have a lot invested in the haunted house."

After the festival there will be a bonfire party until 9 p.m. with free hot chocolate.

Want In?

There is still time to have your business included, but time is running out. Merchants must be signed up and paid by this Saturday.

Participation isn't limited to NAMA members, or even just North Andover businesses. Several out-of-town businesses will be setting up shop that day.

Participation is $25 for NAMA members and $50 for non-members. Money will go toward the expenses.

You can also volunteer at the event in a variety of capacities. The sign-up sheet can be found at http://www1.mysignup.com/nama_fall_festival.

For more information, email northandovermerchants@gmail.com or call 978-965-2708.