Celebrate Fall next 3 weekends in Wilmington

Back - to - back - to - back weekends will have something for everyone with three Wilmington festivals starting this Sunday.

Over the next three weekends Wilmington organizations are hosting Fall festivals featuring unique food vendors, vintage shopping, scarecrow contests, characters from Oz, blacksmithing, costume contests, trick or treating, and items to satisfy you pumpkin spice craving.

The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce kicks things off this Sunday with its third annual Autumn Festival of Crafts, sponsored by D’Orazio Ford, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the North Island Park.

Over 50 vendors have signed up for the juried craft show. There will be a wine garden, pumpkin decorating and games for kids, live music and lots of food offerings.

Autumn Fest buttons will be available at $3 each with the winning button number winning half. Last year the winner was awarded almost $800. The number will be drawn at at 5 p.m. and posted to the Wilmington Chamber’s website and Facebook pages.

Chamber President Steve Evans is anticipating their largest crowd yet based on the number of inquiries from outside visitors.

“We should have a perfect Fall day if the weather forecast is correct. We’ve got a lot of unique crafters this year and the food trailers should live up to our expectations.”

The Wilmington Lions Club will be grilling sandwiches and other lunch items from the North Island concession stand. Food vendors include Holy Smoke BBQ, The Bennett-Curtis House trailer, Ed Rolls, Brewhead Espresso, Hello Boba and the popular test selling bundt cakes.

For a unique taste try a pumpkin soda. Long time Soda Jerk Larry T. is bringing his pumpkin sodas to the Autumn Festival. They’re made from pure cane sugar at a plant that’s 97 years old. “These recipes date back over 50 years,” Root Beer Larry said. “We were craft before the word existed.”

The bottled sodas, sold in 4-packs include Pumpkin, Pumpkin Cream and Pumpkin Root Beer, along with retro flavors Root Beer, Cream, Black Cherry, Lime and Orange.

The sodas will also be sold the following Sunday, Oct. 15 when the Wilmington Lions Club will hold its “No Place Like Home” Oz Festival from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the South Island Park.

There will be a $2 entry fee for the family-fun event (children under 2 are free) featuring your favorite Oz characters.

There will be an Auntie Em's Farmers Market to peruse antiques, artisans and crafters offerings. Plus a petting zoo by Oly Farms, tractor show, blacksmith demonstrations and children’s games.

River Valley Martial Arts will put on a Karate demonstration from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. followed by music by Country Roots from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dress as an Oz character to enter costume contest judging at noon. At 1 p.m. judging for a pie baking contest (even the crust must be homemade) begins.

There will be a Scarecrow contest to determine the $500 winner. Cast your vote at the Lion’s tent by 2:30 p.m. and winner will be announced at 3 p.m.

Among the activities will be trick or treating at downtown businesses from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Bewitched on 66

On Saturday, Oct. 21, there will also be Spooktacular Bewitched on 66.

Starting at 10 a.m. is the Howl-o-ween, dress up your furry pal and join us for lots of puppy fun on the downtown parking lot.

Trunk or Treating and trick or treating will take place on North Water Street and at downtown businesses from noon to 3 p.m. Food, fun prizes and more at the downtown parking lot and all down Water St. If you want to decorate a truck, sign up at www.islandparkdistrict.com

A Witches Wine Walk, which has already sold out, will start at 5 p.m. Witches will be stopping at 15 stores downtown for wine tastings and food.

The Lions Club Spook Hike will be Friday and Saturday, starting at 7 p.m. The Lion’s club has another spooky walk in the works. Don’t miss this local favorite haunt on the North Island.