CLARION – More than 250,000 people are expected to attend this year’s Autumn Leaf Festival, which begins Saturday.
The nine-day festival will feature more than 40 events and activities for all ages.
The festival kicks off with the 32nd annual United Way 5K and 10K races. Registration for the event begins at 7 a.m. Saturday at Clarion University Stadium. The races will start at 9 a.m.
“We have added a couple new events that we hope people like,” Tracey Becker, Clarion County Chamber of Business and Industry executive director, said.
Cultural night will feature Russian and African dance groups as well as mariachi band.
“This will be a nice experience, because these groups are usually only found in bigger cities,” Becker said.
Cultural nights will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday in front of the Clarion County courthouse.
The festival will also include the celebration of the 175th anniversary of Clarion Borough establishment. An event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, between Main Street and Grant Avenue. The event will feature speakers and a proclamation as well as a 175-pound ice cream sundae for guests.
“We’re still working out exactly how we will serve the sundae and we hope it stays cool or we’ll have milk shakes,” Becker said.
Another event that will occur during the nine-day festival is the Miss Junior Teen and Miss Teen ALF scholarship program, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Clarion High School auditorium.
The 63rd annual Tournament of Leafs Parade will take place at noon Saturday, Oct. 1, on Main Street.
Parking for festival events on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, will be available at the Immaculate Conception School parking lots. Handicapped parking will be available at the corners of Main Street and Sixth Avenue and at the fireman’s lot at 525 Wood St.
Shuttle bus service will run from the Area Transit Authority from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Farmers and Crafters Day on Friday, Sept. 30, and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on parade day.
There will be two shuttle buses running, and both will be handicapped accessible. Each ride will cost $1.25 and riders must have the exact amount as no change will be given. Children under 6 years old and senior citizens over 65 will ride for free.
Pickups and drop-offs will take place about every 15 minutes, depending on traffic. The last pickup Friday will be at 6 p.m. at Sixth and Wood and the last one Sept. 26 will be at 4 p.m. at Sixth and Wood.
