Grand Ledge’s Fall Festival returned for the second year with almost double the amount of vendors on Oct. 9.
The festival also had no COVID-19 restrictions this year. Last year, vendors were set up 20 feet apart, along with a few other restrictions.
The Fall Festival is run by the Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce and is free for attendees.
“Last year, we had 77 vendors and spaced everyone out 20 feet apart,” said Amy Hoyes, executive director of the chamber. “This year we have 143 vendors and added the beer fest and boat.”
Borjana Alia
The Fall Festival was spread out into three sections acoss downtown, each holding various vendors and activities.Farmer Mark Kastner from Hillcrest Farms in Eaton County attended the festival both years. He and his wife also are regular vendors at the Grand Ledge Farmers Market.
Kastner said the festival was “larger, more optimistic” than last year.
“We’re busy this year,” he said.
Steafene Garrett started baking a year ago and turned it into a home business, Stef’s Sweet Treats. She attended the festival for the first time.
“Lots of people have walked by, gotten a handful of purchases,” Garrett said. “The people are friendly and it’s a nice thing to do on an afternoon.”
One of the younger vendors at the festival, 12-year-old Emily Hatfield, creator of Em’s Essentials, was selling homemade whip and bar soaps for her first time at the festival.
“It’s fun, I like it,” Hatfield said.
Molly Peterson, a junior at Michigan State University majoring in elementary education, attended the festival with her parents, who were visiting from Maryland. Along with the shopping, Peterson and her family watched live performances.
“My whole family really enjoyed this doll clothing pop up because I was a big American Girl fan growing up,” Peterson said. “Overall, I really liked it there and it was super cute.”