Saturday: Chappaqua's New Fall Festival

Downtown Chappaqua will be transformed on Saturday, complete with hayrides, pumpkins and an array of kids' activities.

The business district is getting a festive touch for the first-annual Fall Festival, which is organized by the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce. The event is significant for the chamber, which formed this past spring, because it is the largest gathering yet on its part.

Chappaqua resident Rob Greenstein, among the chamber's founders, explained that the event is to help people appreciate the importance of the merchants in the community. He noted that by shopping local, more money stays in town. 

Greenstein also touted the fact that the events will be placed at several parts of downtown, rather than just one.

"Our goal is to spread it out," he said.

The list of events for the festival is long. Aside from merchants planning to be outside, the day will include hayrides, jousting, facepainting, a large slide and bouncy castle, bumper cars, a petting zoo, a DJ, a folk singer and a photo booth. There will also be a pumpkin patch at the gazebo along South Greeley Avenue, backed by ICD Contemporary Jewelry, where folks can get pumpkins, gourds, Indian corn and apple cider. There will also be pumpkin painting. 

Another key event will be a pie judging contest. Folks are urged to bring homemade pies and recipes to the Chappaqua Farmers Market (in front of the Church of St. Mary the Virgin) at 8:30 a.m. The owner of newly opened dessert studio Sherry B will be the judge, with the judging being at 11:30 a.m. Prizes will be given out for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a rain date for Saturday, Oct. 20.