Friday, Sept. 22, marks the first day of fall. Although the hot and humid weather lately has contradicted that, the Huntley Fall Fest truly gave everyone the flawless autumn feel as they started off the new season right.
This year’s 12th annual Huntley Fall Fest, located at Deicke Park, began Thursday, Sept. 21 and will last until Sept. 24. Known for its live music, food, fireworks, activities, and carnival rides, it is the go-to event for the Huntley community.
For Friday, bands Lava Rock and 7th Heaven performed, who had both sang several well-known songs the attendees could either sing along to, or listen to in the background as they spent time with their family or friends. There were familiar local vendors such as Manny’s and Butcher on the Block offering food to the community.
Junior Devon Nelson, an employee of Butcher on the Block, worked behind the counter contributing to the fall fest. Of many people, he believes the fall fest embodies the community aspect of Huntley.
“We’ve got people coming together to either listen to music or just have fun,” Nelson said. “Fall fest has all sorts of different food and different events that everybody just enjoys.”
Many other Huntley High School students attended (including recent graduates), and they equally enjoyed the fun and the atmosphere there.
“I love fall fest, I come every year,” junior Lexi Kromer said. “You can be yourself and you’re not really judged, and you can just have fun with your friends on different rides.”
Rides such as the Ferris wheel, Sky Rider, Freak Out, and The Zipper were present, exciting the many children there. Kids with friends were seen walking ahead of their parents, guiding them here and there to their most-coveted rides of the night.
A lot of the kids had grown up coming to the Huntley Fall Fest, and they get ecstatic every year when they are able to go “because it’s so awesome.”
The music, the rides, the food. The Huntley Fall Fest promotes the Huntley community and initiates the fall spirit. It simply makes everyone happy.