Historic downtown filled with families enjoying market, acrobats, food, music, and more during 20th annual event hosted by Clifton’s Main Street
CLIFTON – Visitors were happy to get out in the lovely weather, vendors were happy informing people of their activities or selling their wares, the music was great. There were young families with strollers, youth in groups, and some seniors taking a leisurely pace, stopping to sit on the many spots available.
The weather couldn’t have been better for a fabulous family-fun fall day at the 20th Annual Clifton FallFest hosted by City of Clifton Main Street Oct. 16.
Many civic organizations and churches had booths, with entertaining activities or snacks. . Lutheran Sunset Ministries sold crafts made by the facility’s residents– like bracelets, crosses and big decorative Christmas ornaments. 4-H had a shooting activity booth and the Goodall-Witcher Medical Clinic was dispensing flu shots to a long line of people. The newly established Bosque Film Society had a red carpet set up with life-size cut outs of movie icons for photo ops outside the Cliftex Theatre, where they were selling popcorn and free cartoons.
And every now and then, Waco’s Kareem Shrine Gun Slingers Show bangs and crackles would pierce the air, drawing the curious towards their activities. An eight-foot high unicycle and its rider caught a lot of attention also.
As usual, there were multiple events on the second weekend of October, like Baylor and Clifton homecoming, University Interscholastic League marching band competition, Bacon Bash in Cranfills Gap and the Tin Building Theater “Honky Tonk Hissy Fit” play.
Still, Clifton’s historic Main Street area was abuzz with activity from the start of the FallFest activities at 9 a.m. This year, FM 219/5th Street was not blocked off, so through traffic was not disrupted. The vendors and activities concentrated around N Ave. D, W. 3rd Street and N. Ave. E.
The climbing tower was a success with the fearless youth, as was the amazing plant stall, and the Nellie Pederson Public Library book sale. Market at the Mill’s Funky Flea Market and music drew many visitors searching for that special something in seasonal décor or clothing. And of course the face painting booth was always busy.
The street dance in the evening with the band Richochet was a perfect round off for a perfect day.
The annual FallFest event is challenging to put on logistically due to the compact space and short amount of time to get everything set up. Angela Smith and the Main Street board appreciate all the volunteers, public works, the Clifton Police Department and the merchants for making it happen every year. And seeing the many people out and about, smiling, enjoying the fall weather and the vendor offerings made it all worthwhile.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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