Sunland Center Hosts 37th Annual Fall Festival

Matt Boster

Viewed: 1943

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Oct 08 2015 8:32 AM

Sunland Center celebrates their 37^th Annual Fall Festival, Saturday, October 31, 2015.  One of Jackson County’s largest events, the Sunland Fall Festival is always held on the last Saturday of October, and takes place at the Center’s beautiful Environmental Park.  Admission and parking are free.

Festivities begin at 9:00 a.m. CST with a huge parade that winds through the Sunland grounds and ends at the park.  Live entertainment provided by local artists and musicians continues through day on three stages: Main Pavilion stage, Center Stage and the Pavilion by the Pond, a new stage located near the log cabin and cane grinding exhibit.  Featured are more than 100 arts and crafts booths and a wide variety of food vendors offering an array of mouthwatering food options ranging from BBQ, smoked turkey legs, grilled burgers, chicken fingers, fried fish and even “gator on a stick.”

Children will especially enjoy the carnival-like atmosphere of “Funland” an area within the park designated for thrill seekers, young and old alike!  Exciting attractions such as the ever popular “Haunted House,” face painting, train rides, zip line, mechanical bull, Spider Mountain, Wipe Out, Wrecking Ball and inflatable bounce houses will provide lots of fun for all ages!

Special events are available for those who enjoy watching the old-time art of cane grinding and syrup making, taking a leisurely horse and wagon ride through the park, cheering for the Sunland Swingers square dance team and many other exciting entertainers.

Sunland residents and staff enjoy sharing this day with families and friends from local and surrounding communities.  After the long hot days of summer, this is the perfect occasion to enjoy the cool, crisp country air.  Superintendent Geri Williams and her staff invite you to join them for the 2015 Fall Festival in the scenic Sunland Environmental Park!  You don’t want to miss it! 

Applications are now being accepted for food and craft vendors, and parade entries until Friday, October 14^th.  To register as a food or craft vendor call James Godwin at (850) 482-9373 or (850) 557-0911 or Onna Lipford at (850) 482-9386.  For parade entries call Clint Cox at (850) 482-9387.

 

Attached Photos: 

Pic 1 – Sunland Staff Maria Johnson at the Face Painting Booth

Pic 2 – “Hey Mom! Look what I won!!” With a sausage dog in one hand and a prize winning cake in the other, this happy youngster proudly displays a cake he won at the Sunland Fall Festival cake walk.

Pic 3 – Sunland staff & accomplished “pit master” Franklin Williams works tirelessly at the Unit I Smoked Turkey Leg booth, a popular crowd pleaser.

Pic 4 – Everyone loves a parade!  Sunland’s Fall Festival parade is a favorite among locals who enjoy greeting beauty queens, marching bands, political leaders, motorcycles, horse riders and more!

 

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