Rain keeps crowds down at Eden Fall Festival

Rain and cloudy weather dampened the fun at this year’s Fall Festival in Eden, but festival-goers stuck it out for the live music and the fun activities for kids.

Alisa Spadey, an Eden resident, said the crowds were noticeably absent from Saturday’s festivities, but she came to give her kids and grandchild something fun to do on a rainy day.

“I came really for the kids, because they were excited for the train ride and the bouncy castle,” Spadey said. “I think activities like this are great for the community because it gives children a fun alternative to trick-or-treating. It can be very dangerous in some cases.”

Kathy Vincent, also from Eden, said she is sure there would be a lot more people showing up if the sun would come out.

“My kids wanted to do something fun today, so we came out here to the festival,” Vincent said. “Their favorite activities were the train and the bounce house. They also had some nice baked goods for sale.”

Some vendors were already packing up by noon, but some were determined to ride out the bad weather. Lori Houchins and her daughter were selling baked goods, along with other moms, to support their children. They have been asked to dance on a cruise ship as the entertainment for one night. The ship is going to Jamaica, and they need to raise money to attend the trip.

“This is one of many fund-raising efforts we have planned for our daughters’ trip,” Houchins said. “We will also be planning additional activities throughout the year with other parents.”

Their daughters are a part of the DC Clique Dance Competition Company and they call their campaign “Rockin’ the Cruise Ship for 2010.”

Those who attended the festival enjoyed music from Veronica & Company and various concessions like cotton candy and popcorn.

“The kids seemed to enjoy it the most – they didn’t even mind the rain,” Spadey said.