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RHODES -- It's beginning to look a lot like autumn, and the annual Rhodes Fall Festival, put on by the Rhodes Engagement Committee, embodies all the favorites: lanterns, carved pumpkins, food and other activities.
Thursday, Oct. 15
Day one kicks off with the Lantern Lit Trail at the Heart of Iowa Trailhead Park. It goes 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with a cost of $6 for kids and $10 for adults.
"People will meet at the Trailhead Park here in Rhodes. You will get your ticket at the park (no advanced ticket sales), you'll get on a hay rack that will take you down by the cemetery road, drop you off, and you'll walk back where you began," said committee treasurer Chris Buck. "On that journey, you will see 200 jack-o’-lanterns in different displays, different themes."
Volunteers have been busy carving the pumpkins to help ensure just the right spooky effect.
From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. General Lee's Smoke Shack will be on hand selling food, location to be announced.
Friday, Oct. 16
The Main Street Market will go from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a mix of vendors offering food, décor and other goodies. Food vendors will also be on hand including Clare's Tenderloins and Big Acai.
The movie at Memorial Park will start at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting.
The Lantern Lit Trail will continue from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at a cost of $8 for kids and $12 for adults.
Saturday, Oct. 17
A kids' zone will run from noon to 4 p.m. in Memorial Park, featuring giant versions of Tetris, KerPlunk, Connect Four and Jenga, plus pumpkin painting, a corn pit, a bounce house and more.
"They're 100 percent free and it's great fun for kids," he said.
There again will be food truck/vendor options for dining including Clare's Tenderloins, Big Acai and Borrachos Tacos.
A highlight of the day will be the pie baking competition. Deliver one homemade pie to the drop off table located in the gathering place/old fire station from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pies will be evaluated by three local "celebrity judges" who will score the pies on their own. Trophies will be given to the top three finishers. Rules: any pie flavor is accepted, and there are no sub-categories. No entry fee, no sign up required. There are two divisions: kid for those under age 18, and adult. Winners announced at 2:30 p.m. After the pies have been judged, the rest will be available to buy by the slice ($5) at the Rhodes Bar.
The scarecrow relays are back this year at Memorial Park, starting at 2:30 p.m. (register by 2:15 p.m.) Participants will see who can get dressed up as a scarecrow the fastest.
Sack races follow at 3:30 p.m.
The Main Street Market will continue, going from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The pumpkin carving contest is a returning favorite. Drop off your completed pumpkins at Memorial Park at 4 p.m. Judging and voting will go from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The pumpkins must be picked up on Sunday.
"This year we will probably incorporate some of them into the Lantern Lit Trail," Buck added.
The festival concludes with the third night of the Lantern Lit Trail, which will go from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with a cost of $8 for kids and $12 for adults.
Proceeds fund Rhodes Engagement Committee events.
Although not part of the festival, the public is welcome to sign up for the Rhodes Engagement Committee Kickball Tournament on Oct. 18 at Rhodes City Park. Kids (ages 15 and under) check in at 11:30 a.m. with the tournament starting at noon. Adult teams check in goes from 3 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. with play time to follow the kids. Kids teams are free will donation with a cost for adult teams. Prizes will be awarded.
"We're so lucky we have such great support from community members," Buck said. "Our whole mission is to provide amazing opportunities to come together, whether that's Rhodes Pride Days, fall festival, trivia nights, or our soup competition (on Nov. 7). We know one of the key components of having a successful community is creating fun opportunities."
Volunteers are always needed. Message the Rhodes Engagement Committee Facebook page or rhodesengagement@gmail.com to sign up or learn more.