Kids & Family

Duluth Fall Festival Eventful

It's a wrap for the successful 30th Anniversary Duluth Fall Festival, which drew crowds of visitors downtown.

Ignoring iffy potentially rainy weather, crowds descended on Duluth for the 30th Anniversary Duluth Fall Festival Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 29 & 30).

For many attendees, the festival symbolizes the start of the fall season. Shopping for fall decorations, crunching into candy apples, and looking for Christmas presents have become a tradition during the festival on the last weekend in September.

Now that it’s over, the 400 volunteers who put on the festival can relax for a while until planning begins for next year’s event.

Find out what's happening in Duluthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The festival featured a carnival, parade, arts and crafts booths, food vendors, a Man’s Corner, children’s activities, live entertainment, and a 5K road race. There was lots to see and do.

It began with the Saturday morning parade in downtown Duluth and opening ceremonies on the Duluth Festival Center Stage. The Duluth Town Green was filled with tents and booths that overflowed onto downtown streets.

Find out what's happening in Duluthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The opening ceremonies included a parade of soldiers from Ft. Benning, who dramatically lined up in front of the Duluth Festival Center and saluted; welcoming speeches, introduction of dignitaries, and sponsor recognitions. Plaques were given to major festival sponsors.

Kathryn Willis, the festival founder and 2012 chairman, was presented with a plaque honoring her on the 30th anniversary. Proceeds from the festival through the years have funded many downtown improvements including the Duluth Festival Center.


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