O’Fallon hosts successful BaconFest event, readies for busy fall slate of events
The smell of bacon wafting through the streets of downtown drew the biggest crowd ever — more than 5,000 people — for the annual BaconFest on Saturday, Sept. 10, an event the O’Fallon VFW Post 805 Auxiliary has sponsored since 2016 to help raise funds for veterans in need.
About 70 vendors lined downtown streets and inside the VFW hall, and that was the largest amount of food and craft vendors ever, according to event chair Marcia Crawford.
“It was a great turnout,” said Jon Greenstreet, owner of Bike Surgeon and one of the downtown merchant group organizers.
Patrons could sample savory or sweet inspired creations — everything from bacon-wrapped Brussel sprouts, hot dogs, burgers, scones and popcorn to ice cream, cotton candy, jello shots, fudge, cookies, brownies, and candied bacon strips.
And that wasn’t the only thing happening in O’Fallon on Saturday. Between 700 to 900 youngsters and their parents participated in the annual “Touch-A-Truck” that morning at the Community Park sponsored by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Children could touch, climb on, and ask questions in a safe, supervised environment. Personnel taught about the equipment and how these vehicles help the community.
“Lots of horns were honked,” Parks Director Andrew Dallner said. “Kids love it.”
Companies providing the equipment included Obernuefemann Farms, O’Fallon Shiloh Towing, Roots O’Fallon Police Department, O’Fallon-Shiloh EMS, O’Fallon Public Works, the Kommbrink family, Vandalia Bus Lines, St. Clair Service Company, and Air Evac Life Team.
The night before, the parks department presented its second family movie night, with over 150 people gathered for “Spider-Man No Way Home” shown at dusk at the Community Park. Beforehand, children could participate in games and a Bouncy House was available. Chick-Fil-a and Nothing Bunt Cakes had food for purchase.
“It was great weather,” Dallner said.
The outdoor events seem to be rebounding from the global pandemic mitigation efforts in 2020 and 2021, which forced cancellation of many activities.
“The O’Fallon Downtown District is having great success with events this season. It is exciting to see people out and participating, it puts energy back into the downtown! We are looking forward to an exciting fall and winter season,” said Downtown Coordinator Sarah Burton.
Destination: O’Fallon was approved in 2016 as an economic development initiative, and all the planning, sprucing, redevelopment, and new additions — in particular the Downtown District and the O’Fallon Station gathering spot — have made O’Fallon an appealing place to visit.
Friday, Sept. 16: Tip-A-Cop fundraiser for Special Olympics
Texas Roadhouse will donate 10% of food sales — dining in and to-go — from 4-10 p.m. to the Special Olympics Illinois’ Law Enforcement Torch Run. O’Fallon police will be on hand selling Torch Run merchandise, too, in their fund-raising efforts.
Saturday, Sept. 24: Celebration of Ed True at Vine Street Market
“The Vine Street Market has many supporters and volunteers in the community. Unfortunately, we lost one of our dear friends this past year and want to honor his commitment to the market. Ed True was a huge fan of the market and rarely missed a Saturday volunteering with the Rotary Club. He is dearly missed, and we hope to show appreciation for all he meant to the community,” Burton said.
Saturday, Sept. 24: St. Clare of Assisi Oktoberfest
The 19th annual Oktoberfest takes place from 3-11 p.m. on the school grounds Third and Cherry Streets in O’Fallon. German-style dinner served, and there’s bands, bingo, fun and games. For more information, visit: https://stclarechurch.org/ofest.
Saturday, Sept. 24: Fall in Love with Downtown District
Please join the businesses in the Downtown District for this free event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Each business will be welcoming the cooler weather with new fall products, specials, and decorations. Walk around and begin to see the changes fall brings to Downtown.
Tuesday, Oct. 4: O’Fallon Police Department’s “Night to Unite.”
This annual event to bring neighborhoods together with local police will be from 6-8 p.m. at the Community Park, with free food and refreshments. They will have K-9 demonstrations, free goodie bags, a raffle for bicycles and pizzas, and police, fire and EMS vehicles will be on hand.
Friday, Oct. 7: Family Movie Night In the Park
O’Fallon Public Library and O’Fallon Parks and Recreation team up for a Family Movie Night during the warm weather months. “Sing 2” will be the featured film showing at dusk, with yard games and activities starting at 6 p.m. at the Community Park.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Fall Festival Rock Springs Park
A family evening with hayrides, a bonfire and more, sponsored by the Parks Department.
Saturday, Oct. 8: Witches and Wizards Festival
This will be a bigger event this year with more vendors, more categories for costume contest and more fun things planned. Tickets — very important “Witch” or “Basic Witch” has different packages. One must have a ticket to enter and be 21 or older.
Tickets and more details: https://www.refinerysalon1.com/event-details/witches-wizards-festival-2022.
Saturday, Oct. 15: Pumpkin Decorating Contest at Vine Street
“Oct. 15 is the last weekly market of the season. The pumpkin decorating contest is a fun way to end the season. Last year we had so many wonderfully decorated pumpkins, I can’t wait to see what this year brings,” Burton said.
Registration is open now and closes Thursday, Oct. 6. The cost is $10 to enter. Register at https://bit.ly/3DmZ8Qm.
“A pumpkin is provided with the registration, so everyone starts with the same size. The winner is voted on by the public the day of the market,” Burton said.
Saturday, Oct. 22: Downtown Dog Days, the Four-Legged 5K Run
Registration closes Wednesday, Oct. 19. Register: https://runsignup.com/Race/IL/OFallon/FourLeggedRunning.
Note: There will be a small processing fee added to registration at check out.
The 5K starts at 9 a.m. at 105 E. First St.
Registration fees: In-person 5K: $45; in-person 5K + one dog entry: $60 (includes an additional medal for the dog and a pet swag bag); virtual 5K: $45 (includes shipping).
$20 of every entry fee will be donated to non-profit animal rescue organizations FLR has teamed up with. The rest of the entry fee will cover race swag, race day amenities, and more.
*An acknowledgment of the $20 tax deductible donation will be included at the bottom of the race confirmation email.
Virtual Racing: Race anywhere between Saturday, Oct. 1 and Saturday, Dec. 31, post results online, and receive race swag in the mail. Shipping is included with the price of registration. All race swag will ship in mid to late November unless people indicate they will pick up from Furchild in O’Fallon at checkout.
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Halloween activities will be included in a future article.
This story was originally published September 13, 2022 at 12:43 PM.