(Seguin) – Fall officially arrives in Central Park this weekend with the return of the annual Seguin Fall Festival
The all-day celebration, benefiting local fire departments, will feature a number of events including live Texas country music, a classic car show, vendors, kids’ activities and more.
Patrick Pinder, Guadalupe County emergency management coordinator and fire marshal, says preparations are already underway to accommodate the large turnout expected in Central Park and surrounding streets.
“At 7 a.m., we are shutting all of downtown so Nolte, Donegan, River and Austin Street so the main road that cuts through town is going to be shut down,” Pinder said. “We are going to have traffic control between Court Street and Nolte Street and so that main section in front of the Burnt Beant and all the shopping centers is going to be shut down on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.”
He added that traffic will be rerouted with signage around the Justice Center one or two blocks over. “Those streets will be open. It’s just Austin Street but it’s also a benefit for other events such as Sip n Stroll and things like that. This street will be closed for that also,” said Pinder.
Pinder says the festival is free to attend and will kick off at 9 a.m.
“The Seguin Fall Festival is a benefit fundraiser for the local fire departments and what we do is we kind of sell out craft vendors and food vendors and we have a car show, and we will have live entertainment – three full bands,” said Pinder.
“We will have a Kids Zone for kids to come. We will have bounce houses, a petting zoo, a mini pumpkin patch, and prizes for the kids so it’s just a time for the family to come together and just hang out at the park and the event is completely free other than the Kids Zone. We do charge a $10 entry fee for the Kids Zone and it’s good all day.”
Pinder says sign-up is also still available for the car show.
“The car show begins at 9 a.m. Judging begins at 11 a.m. Once the judging is done, we are hoping to get announcement and awards pushed out. If cars want a prime location, then we will make sure we get them in there. We do have two sponsored car dealerships, so they are going to get priority. We do have Gunn CDJR here in town and we have Tesla coming out. Tesla potentially can have some test drive cars set up. We are waiting on confirmation on that,” said Pinder.
Music is also set for the entire day. The event will include DJ music throughout the afternoon and three evening performances by Texas country artists Ian Tonroy, Hayden Baker, and Matt Castillo.
Pinder says adding to the excitement will be a pet costume contest. He says participation is encouraged.
“We do have a pet costume contest. It will begin around 4-4:15 p.m. Registration will start around 3:30 p.m. around the gazebo,” said Pinder. “We do have a $5 donation or entry fee for that since this is a fundraiser for the fire departments. But we do have prizes for that. Last year, we gave out $25 gift cards to Pet Smart and things like that. We do have a couple of categories. So, dress up your pets and bring them out and if anyone wants to come judge that, show up at the gazebo and we are going to pick the judges there at the same time.”
Those wishing to sign-up for the car show are asked to visit the Seguin Fall Festival Facebook page or sign-up that day between 7 and 8:30 a.m.
Those wishing to volunteer are also encouraged to do so by emailing seguinfallfestival@gmail.com.