36th South Side Fall Festival prepares for weekend celebration
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Volunteers and vendors began setting up Thursday for the 36th Annual South Side Fall Festival, which opens Friday in Hyde Park.
The festival will feature local food, live entertainment and a variety of vendors. The festival kicks off at noon on Friday, Sept. 19, and continues through Sunday, Sept. 21.
"I've been a vendor since '88 and then we started volunteering, and I just love it," said Jerry Smock, "I'm actually a Northender, and IÂ come all the way south just for this. Everybody comes, and I meet people I haven't seen for a long time."
The annual parade will take place rain or shine at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Participants in the parade must register in advance at ssffparade@yahoo.com or in person at Vibe Nutrition, 3003 S. Belt Highway.
Admission to the festival is free.
This year, there will be a tribute ceremony on Friday at 6 p.m. to Gary Pettis, the previous chair of the event, who passed away in March to honor his memory.
