By Emma Griffin, correspondent.
Hundreds visited J.F. Gregory Park Saturday afternoon to attend Richmond Hill’s Fall Festival, hosted in collaboration with the City of Richmond Hill and the Richmond Hill Farmers’ Market.
Visitors began to arrive a little before 3 p.m., strolling through the large pavilion where local vendors set up stalls in the field.
Dozens of craftsmen and artisans sold jewelry, candles, clothing, baked goods and many Halloween-themed decorations. Families wandered up and down the stalls, stopping to sit at the picnic tables to enjoy cupcakes, cakepops, cookies and more. Young children were dressed in their costumes to trick-or-treat at each stall where most vendors handed out free candy.
A long-time resident, Tiffany Sommers has lived in the area for twenty-four years. She said she came to the festival to shop and let her children play in the park. Sommers appreciates that “it brings family and friends together and supports local businesses in the area.”
Groups lined up to play games, such as mini-basketball or cornhole. Farther into the park, children waited to take their turn in the large inflatable bouncy houses, and adults lined up to grab dinner and sweets at the one of the many food trucks stationed in the adjoining lot.
First-time visitor Chris Nyeste attended the festival with his wife and children and said the food trucks were his family’s favorite part.
A native of McIntosh County, Nyeste added: “Where we're from, we don't see this a lot, the community coming together. There's just everybody here doing different stuff and hanging out. It's a nice park, so I think it's great for the community.”
Festival-goers were encouraged to vote in the Pumpkin Decorating Contest, which included five pumpkins lined up for passers-by to admire. The winner will be announced Monday, October 21st on social media.
Chelsea Smalls, 20, said she saw the event posted on Facebook and “just thought it’d be something fun to go to.”
She said she enjoys walking around and seeing others having fun, and plans on returning next year.
“I definitely think it's bringing everyone together. Just the simple fact that there's a lot of different booths with a lot of different things, and there's a little bit of something for everyone here,” Smalls said.