Fall Festival will be this weekend

SALISBURY —  With temperatures dropping and winds whistling briskly against windowpanes, there’s no doubt any longer: Fall is here.

And just in time to take the bite out of the chill: one of the most popular annual events of the year, the Fall Festival, put on by local churches on Columbus Day weekend (which is Oct. 10 to 12 this year).  

The festival features delights for all the senses. There are mini tag sales with everything from antique linens to whimsical costume jewelry. Other sales feature everything from plants and ethnic crafts to used books (at the Scoville Library and the Parisian-style book stalls at St. John’s Church). Avid bibliophiles can attend the library’s gala preview party on Friday, Oct. 10, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. under a tent at the library. Tickets to the preview party are $15, payable at the door. Shopping includes all types of media as well as a boutique with items including jewlery, wine and gift baskets.

Pastry enthusiasts often make a beeline on the first day of the festival to St. John’s Church, where (in addition to blueberry pancakes Friday morning and comidas latinas from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday) the Twin Lakes-based All Saints Orthodox Church offers homemade Greek pastries dripping with honey and powdered sugar. There are also fresh-baked breads, herbs and more.

Other edible treats at the festival include the popular lasagna meal at St. Mary’s Church (Friday from 4 to 6:30 p.m.); the ham dinner at Lakeville’s United Methodist Church on Saturday (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.); and the pancake breakfast Sunday to benefit the Salisbury Volunteer Ambulance Service.

The biggest food crowd at any one time during the festival usually is in the chili contest tent. Judging and sampling will be on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Los Ciegos del Barrios.

Right after the chili contest is the judging for the scarecrow contest, which begins at 2 p.m. — although the scarecrows are out several days in advance of the competition.