Capac to host fall festival; chili cook-off

CAPAC — Major construction isn’t the only thing going on in downtown Capac this fall. 

Organizers have worked long hours to put together the fourth annual Fall Festival and Chilli Cook-off set for Saturday, Oct. 10. The event runs 11 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be adult activities, including two bands for entertainment, later in the day, from 5-11 p.m.

While much of Main Street is under a full blown rebuild, there will be plenty of parking for the event on village side streets and other parking lots.

Visitors will be able to park near Melody Park which will serve as the main hub of the event. With the on-going construction, the event will be set up on Church St for this year, according to village officials. “We’re looking forward to another great event,” said Village Manager Travis Youatt. 

“It seems like everyone has a good time and the chilli cookoff has become very competitive with many of the entries. It’s all in good fun, but the fire department has won it two times and the police department once.”

Among those who have done well in past competitions is the Mussey Fire Department known for their extra spicy chilli. Youatt said businesses and non-profits are welcome to bring their entries. Visitors will be able to taste test a variety of chilli entries and then vote on who they feel has the best chilli.

Among the activities planned for the day are a bounce house, face painting, pumpkin painting, a DJ in the park, crafts and vendors and a food truck. There will be fun for the kids attending when the candy drop takes place later in the day. 

“We try to have a few special events, along with our Music in the Park throughout the summer,” said Youatt.

“This event is pretty popular. It gets bigger every year. We seem to draw a lot of people to town to visit with Santa before Christmas too. It’s just a fall festival to give people a reason to get out of the house and come to downtown Capac. We’ve been really happy with the turnout the last few years.”

Once the afternoon fun is wrapped up, the adults will have their good times from 5-11 p.m. with a beverage tent, two live bands and a mechanical bull. 

“People seem to like being able to bring their kids downtown for fun in the afternoon and they like to take the kids back home and the adults come back downtown for some good times and fun with the live music, the beverage tent and this year, we have a mechanical bull for people to try their luck. It should be fun,” Youatt said.

Village officials and construction crews will have the area of Main Street under construction barricaded off to prevent any chance of someone being injured. Youatt said while the project is moving along on schedule, there is still work to be done and encouraged festival visitors to stay away from the construction zone.