val returns this week. For the first time, the event will take place over the span of two days – Friday and Saturday. Hosted by the Rhodes Engagement Committee, there is fun for the whole family.

The event kicks off Friday with a fall market in Memorial Park from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

“There will be freshly made jams, baked goods, homemade soaps and candles, simmer pot mixes, 3D prints, essential oil products, handmade jewelry and bookmarks,” said Committee President Madelyn Pitzen. “We are still accepting vendors for our Friday night vendor market.”

People should bring their own tents and tables to vend, with a cost of $10 per spot.

The movie “Hotel Transylvania” will be screened in the park, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday

Festival attendees are encouraged to wear their best fall attire and or dress in Halloween costumes.

Saturday will begin with Clare’s Tenderloins on Main Street, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for lunch and dinner. Attendees can go to Memorial Park from noon to 4 p.m. for the kids’ zone, which will consist of yard Yahtzee, Connect Four, pumpkin bowling and more.

There will be plenty of competitions taking place during the Rhodes Festival, starting with pie.

Contestants can drop off their flaky pastries at 1 p.m. at the Gathering Place/old fire station. There will be “celebrity judges” who will announce winners at 1:30 p.m. Pitzen noted the judges will consist of the 2025 Grand Marshals, and a surprise professional baker. Medals will be awarded to first, second and third place winners.

Trailhead Park trail rides will be available at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

“Those are hay rack rides up and down the trail,” she added.

Race enthusiasts can participate in or watch two options. The first is the scarecrow relay races, with sign up starting at 1:30 p.m. People will be dressed up as scarecrows and will start racing at 2:15 p.m. Contestants will complete different fall-themed tasks. The second are sack races which will begin at 3:30 p.m. in Memorial Park.

Jack o’ lantern fans are also invited to submit their carved gourds for the pumpkin carving contest at 4 p.m. at Memorial Park. Judging and voting will happen from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The contest is broken into age categories – 4-7; 8-12; 13-18; and adults aged 19 and older. The pumpkins will line Main Street. Flameless candles will be provided. A first, second and third place winner will be noted.

“We had a great turnout last year — a lot of very creative designs. Everybody really enjoyed that, and as soon as the sun went down, it was really beautiful,” she said.

Pumpkin owners may pick them up to take home at 10 p.m. or any time on Sunday.

Soup competition

One contest some attendees might notice is missing is the soup competition. Pitzen noted the 2025 Soup-Off will not be held during the Fall Festival, and instead has been moved to Nov. 8 at Rhodes Bar.

“It grew too big,” Pitzen said of the date change.

All varieties of soup will be accepted, including chili. Drop off will occur from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Participants should submit soups in a slow cooker or warmer, and provide a serving spoon. Entries will be labeled. Contestants are limited to three entries. While it is free to soup creators to enter, there is a $10 fee to judge. Folks should register to judge by 5:30 p.m. and tasting will happen soon after. Proceeds will fund the 2026 Rhodes Pride Days/Fall Festival and other Rhodes Engagement Committee events.

Volunteers are always needed. Message the Rhodes Engagement Committee Facebook page or rhodesengagement@gmail.com to sign up.