Press release from Buncombe County Recreation Services:
Let the wild rumpus start! On Saturday, October 22, 2016, Buncombe County Recreation Services will once again host the Lake Julian Fall Festival with a new twist this year. Several new activities encourage area children to “Come Out and Play” while learning through engaging activities that get them outside and moving.
The Lake Julian Fall Festival is free to the public and will take place at Lake Julian Park from 11am to 2pm on October 22, 2016. Children and adults of all ages are invited to attend.
This year’s theme, “Let the Wild Rumpus Start!” captures the work of Maurice Sendak’s 1964 classic Where the Wild Things Are to send children to a land of make believe created by their favorite stories. A roving story time will allow children to experience their favorites along with stories which might be new to them.
The Wild Things have taken refuge at the festival and the staff needs help answering “Where are the Wild Things?”. Children will be inspired by Iggy Peck Architect and Rosie Revere Engineer before working to create a fort to protect the three little pigs and their Halloween haul from the larger than life slingshot of an enterprising big bad wolf. Tweens and pre-teens will have a chance to work through an archery course inspired by The Hunger Games. Lake Julian’s volleyball court will turn into testing grounds to repurpose a catapult left over from the tenuous escalation between the Yooks and Zooks from Dr. Seuss’s The Butter Battle Book. Spookley the Square Pumpkin will be shown in one of the park’s shelters and there will be a Spookley inspired “Pumpkin Walk”.
In addition to book themed activities, the festival will incorporate the spirit of fall with a Scarecrow Contest and a Pumpkin Carving Contest. Children and their families are encouraged to lug along their submissions to compete for prizes. Preregistration for the Scarecrow Contest is suggested. Contest winners will be announced at the close of the festival.
Attendees can try out new giant games including tumbling towers, four in a row, building blocks, and more. Crafts will be available. Adults are also included in the fun and can play a few rounds of corn hole or test their hand at ladder golf.
WNC Safe Kids, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department Crime Prevention and Skyland Fire Department will be there with fall safety tips. New this year, you can drop off your old prescription drugs with the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department. Joey, from LAUNCH Asheville will be on hand as well.
Buncombe County Special Olympics volunteers will be selling food to hungry participants. All benefits from the food sales will go directly toward providing athletic opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Captain Nick from Lake Julian Park is looking forward to giving all you land lovers a ride on the Pirate Pontoon Ship. Captain Nick says “Bring your smiles! That’s what it’ll cost ye to board me ship”!
What: Lake Julian Fall Festival, an event for children and families.
Cost: Free
Where: Lake Julian Park, 406 Overlook Extension, Arden, NC 28704 (just off of Long Shoals Rd).
When: 11am to 2pm, Saturday, October 22, 2016
More information and Scarecrow/Pumpkin registration: Lynn Pegg at 828.250.6707 or Angie Hall at 828.250.6704 or parks@buncombecounty.org.
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