Fall and Fantasy Fest combines the atmosphere of a Renaissance festival with the themes of fall, Halloween, fantasy, anime, and imagination. The event brings people together for a weekend of entertainment, vendors, costumes, and activities for all ages.
This year’s festival will take place Sept. 26-27 at Centennial Park in Rock Falls. The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.
A New Home in Rock Falls
After being held at other local venues during its first two years, Fall and Fantasy Fest is moving to Centennial Park. The change gives the festival significantly more room as organizers plan for future growth.
The Rock Falls Chamber reached out to the festival organizers about bringing the event to the community. Centennial Park offers plenty of space for the festival to expand its entertainment, vendors, and other activities in the coming years.
The festival had nearly outgrown its previous location, making additional space increasingly important. Organizers appreciated the indoor space available at their previous venue but saw Centennial Park as an opportunity to build a larger experience.
The natural setting of the park also fits well with the festival’s fantasy atmosphere, giving attendees an outdoor environment where they can explore, interact, and immerse themselves in the event.
Entertainment Returns With New Experiences
Fall and Fantasy Fest will feature a mix of returning favorites and new performers.
Mosaic will return with its popular snail jousting, while To the Point will once again bring Shakespearean sword fighting to the festival. The Guild of St. Michael will also return with historical reenactments and black powder demonstrations.
Dixon Stage Left is scheduled to return as well.
New entertainment will include wandering performers and fantasy characters, including a fawn and potentially fairies. A new magician will also join the festival and is expected to bring both magic and musical performances to the event.
Erin the Mermaid will return, providing another fan-favorite experience for families attending the festival.
Deep Light LARP will also be back with an adventure designed for children and anyone who wants to participate. The activity is intended to encourage imagination and childhood whimsy, with age not being the deciding factor for participation.
More Than 50 Vendors
The festival’s vendor area continues to grow, with more than 50 vendors already signed up.
Attendees can expect to find merchandise and products that fit the Fallen Fantasy theme, including dragons, potions, plants, and other fantasy-inspired items. The vendor lineup also includes local makers and people who participate in community farmers’ markets and other local events.
Organizers say the festival has grown largely through word of mouth, with vendors and performers discovering the event and becoming interested in participating.
The combination of returning vendors and new additions means visitors can expect familiar favorites alongside new things to discover.
Costumes Are Encouraged, But Not Required
Dressing up is completely optional at Fall and Fantasy Fest, but organizers encourage anyone interested in costumes to give it a try.
The festival’s combination of Renaissance, medieval, Halloween, witchy, anime, and fantasy themes gives attendees plenty of freedom when choosing what to wear. Costumes can be elaborate or simple, with the focus being on having fun and creating an immersive experience.
For those who already own Renaissance or fantasy costumes, the festival provides another opportunity to put them to use. Organizers also encourage newcomers who may be unsure about dressing up to give it a try.
Admission Helps the Festival Grow
For the first two years, Fall and Fantasy Fest was free to attend. This year, organizers have introduced an admission fee to help support the festival’s continued growth and compensate performers.
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children, seniors, and first responders.
The decision to introduce admission was made as organizers looked for ways to make the festival sustainable. Performers have expenses associated with participating, including travel, gas, and lodging, and the festival needs additional resources to continue expanding.
The organizers said the festival’s previous free-admission model resulted in financial losses, although sponsors and community support helped make the event possible.
The new admission structure is intended to help the festival continue into future years while providing attendees with a larger experience.
Community Support Makes the Festival Possible
Fall and Fantasy Fest has relied heavily on community support since its beginning.
Organizers said the first two festivals were made possible through the efforts of local businesses, sponsors, volunteers, and a small but dedicated organizing team.
Community businesses that have supported the festival include Undercover Rentals, formerly Extreme Rentals, and 815 PortaPotty.
There are several ways for community members and businesses to get involved. Financial support and formal sponsorship opportunities are available, with sponsorship benefits potentially including booth space and event signage.
Volunteers are also needed for a variety of tasks, including helping at the admission gate, assisting with parking, monitoring the grounds, emptying garbage cans, and helping with general festival operations.
Because Fall and Fantasy Fest is a nonprofit organization, volunteer opportunities can also count toward school service hours. Organizers have paperwork available for students who need documentation of their volunteer service.
Even volunteering for a few hours can make a difference, especially as the festival continues to grow.
How to Get Involved
The best way to support Fall and Fantasy Fest is to attend the festival, purchase tickets, tell friends and family about the event, and help spread the word.
People interested in volunteering, sponsorship, or financial donations can reach out through the festival’s website.
Fall and Fantasy Fest can be found online at fallandfantasy.com and on Facebook. Organizers also encourage community members to approach them when they see them around town and ask questions about the festival.
With a new location, more space, returning favorites, new entertainment, and a growing vendor lineup, the third annual Fall and Fantasy Fest is shaping up to be a weekend centered on fall, fantasy, creativity, and community.
Fall and Fantasy Fest will take place Sept. 26-27 at Centennial Park in Rock Falls from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
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