Fall Fest to go on as planned in Plum on Saturday

Plum officials won’t let a pandemic stop them from letting residents continue an autumn tradition.

The third annual Fall Fest is set for noon to 7 p.m. Saturday at Plum Creek Park across from the borough building along New Texas Road.

Activities include pony rides, pumpkin painting, a pumpkin patch, food trucks and more.

Mayor Harry Schlegel credits organizer Mona Costanza and the many volunteers donating their time to make the event possible.

He is confident people will have a good time and be safe. That’s based on how people attended the borough’s Movies in the Park series and the Plum Area Youth Soccer Club’s three-day tournament earlier this year.

“It takes resourcefulness on the part of the staff, and they keep coming up with games where you’ll not have a lot of kids crowding around,” Schlegel said. “A bit more planning has to go into something like this.

Organizers are also planning for more participants this time.

Last year, 400 pumpkins were given to children. They have 500 available for Saturday.

“Every year we get a larger crowd because of word of mouth,” the mayor said. “Every year it gets larger. Our movies get larger. We had more people in their cars and sitting in lawn chairs.

“The success all goes to (borough manager) Mike Thomas and his staff down there,” Schlegel said. “They’re coming down on a Saturday not being paid. They’re volunteering their time to give back to the community. I think that’s what sets us apart from other communities.”

Thomas is expected reclaim his title of grill master at the event, serving up hotdogs and other food. Thomas could not be reached for comment.

Some activities cost $1 with sales from game tickets donated to the Plum Angel Fund, a charity designed to help residents in need have a happy holiday in December.

Free pony rides will be available from 1-4 p.m. Donations for the rides also go to the Angel Fund.

Laura’s Floral Boutique of Monroeville will be selling mums for $5.

Other vendors expected to participate include Dad’s Mobile Grub, Sobel’s Obscure Brewery, Pappy’s Kettle Corn and Sweets from the Street Ice Cream, Bushy Run Winery, Morning Glory Farms, Tom’s Candy Co., the Wax Mill, Oakmont Olive Co., Designs by Becka, Chocolate Moonshine and BoCo Creations.

For more information and to register for the pumpkin patch, go to plumboro.com/fallfest.