8-27-2022 11:31pm

Roscoe Fall Festival takes shape with few changes

Michael McGinnis Editor

Roscoe Fall Festival 2021 at Leland Park, across from the Congregational Church for 175 years

The Roscoe Fall Festival returns September 9, 10, 11, 2022. One of the longest running events in the area, the Roscoe Improvement Association began the festival in 1910 to raise money for sidewalks and civic development, since Roscoe was unincorporated and could collect no taxes. For the past 52 years, the festival has been organized by the Roscoe Lions Club. In 2020, it was canceled because of COVID-19, but returned in 2021. Admission is free.

The 52nd Annual Roscoe Lions Fall Festival will not have attendance tent prizes or the 50/50 raffle, but on Sunday night, neutral parties will draw about a dozen winning raffle tickets: a $5,000 grand prize, $1,500 2nd prize, $1,000 3rd prize, and ten extra prizes of $50 each. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 each or five for $20 at the festival or from any Roscoe Lion member - contact them at roscoelionsclub@gmail.com.

The Lions Bingo tent will be open each day. Tickets are $1 per card or $2 for three cards. Organizer Gladys Hibbard says that bingo proceeds have helped childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, Sight and Hearing Center, Eversight, Rockton Food Pantry, Boy and Girl Scouts, scholarships for Hononegah seniors, and the senior turkey dinner with the Roscoe/Harlem Fire Department.

As usual, this year's Fall Festival will feature a lot of food venues, such as the Lions Cafe, Poison Ivy Pub Beer Tent. Grandma's Goodies will provide ice cream, Belgian waffle treats, old fashioned lemonade shakeups, and ice cream sodas. Heavenly Wingz was created to serve at-risk youth, but also serves a six-piece dinner in four flavors: "Chef Special, Honey BBQ, Honey Chipotle, and Holy Ghost Fire."

You'll find live music on the Main Stage:

Friday: 6 - 10 p.m. - The OGMC with Kevin & Greg - a new, fun, interactive music experience
Saturday, 12 - 4 p.m. - Karaoke by Johnny West & Friends - all proceeds go to Vets Roll
Saturday: 6 - 10 p.m. -The 80’s Hit List - top dance hits of the 80's
Sunday: 3:30 - 7:30 p.m. - Distilled - getting you laughing, clapping, and singing along

For the Kiddie Costume Parade on Saturday morning, children are simply invited to “dress up” in their favorite costume. Special prizes will be awarded to the costume winners: two age groups - one year to five years and six years to ten years. The top two boys and girls in each age group will receive the special prizes. The winners will be invited to participate in Sunday’s big parade down Main Street. Every participant will receive a free drink coupon and one free ride ticket.

The Roscoe United Methodist Men will cook Breakfast at Leland Park on Sunday morning before the parade. It costs $7 for "a fine breakfast" of pancakes - all you can eat - and sausages.

The Lions Festival Parade on Sunday at 11:oo a.m. will be led by the Roscoe VFW color guard, a contingent of Lions members, marching bands, floats and dignitaries, the parade . Thousands of spectators will be gathered along the parade route for this festival tradition. Sign up by Aug. 29 to join the parade, which steps off from Bridge & Main Streets and ends at Williams St. near Main Street Square.

Carnival rides will be provided by Skinners' Amusements, which has been in business since 1910. Co-owner Patricia Skinner doesn't remember how long they've been coming to the Fall Festival, but it's been more than 40 years. She signed the first booking at the Wagon Wheel, and they closed in 1989. Discount rides will be offered on Saturday and Sunday.

Kids’ Day on The Midway: Saturday, 12 - 4 p.m. - For $25, kids can buy a wristband good for four hours on all rides. Wristbands go on sale at 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
Carnival Ride Specials: Sunday, 12 - 7 p.m.
Midway: Friday: 5- 10:00 p.m. Saturday: 12 noon - 10 p.m. Sunday: 12 noon - 7 p.m.