By Yazmin Dominguez
The long expected Huntley Fall Festival is finally here. It is set to start Friday, Sept.28 and end Sunday, Sept. 30.
While the 2012 Huntley Fall Fest, as commonly referred to, will contain the same events and activities as last year some differences are expected to take place.
The Huntley Fall Festival Committee led by co-chairmen, Bryant Haniszewski and Lorie Nichols, have implemented several changes to this year’s festival. A major difference being festival attendees will not be required to pay a general admissions fee to enter the festival.
While admission into the festival will be free on Friday, from 4 to 5 p.m. and Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., a $5 fee will be required per person for both days after 5 p.m.
Admissions into the festival area will be free all day Sunday.
Festival attendees will have to pay for each carnival games and/ or rides.
With the changes being implemented this year, Huntley Fall Festival committee member, Dave Rysavy, expects there to be higher attendance at the fair.
“Last year an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 people came out,” said Rysavy. “This year we estimate there to be around 8,000.”
Rysavy believes attendance will be higher due to the more pleasant weather forecasted for the weekend as well as this year’s band lineup.
Friday night bands Tongue N’ Groove and Suburban Cowboy will take the stage. Saturday night will close with a performance by 80s cover band, The Spazmatics. The festival will close Sunday afternoon with a performance by the notorious 7th Heaven.
Further additions to this year’s fall festival will include the new 5K walk and one mile run. Proceeds from the race will benefit the “Opening Doors with Teagan” Foundation to help children with brain tumors receive needed medical equipment.
The Huntley Jaycee’s will also host a scarecrow contest and scarecrow building activity, both will be free.
Attendees can expect to see the car show returning to this year’s festival after two years of absence from the fair.
The newly assembled Huntley Community Radio (HCR) will be giving tours of their studios and office center as well. You can hear HCR live stream on their website. 
In total, 25 to 30 local business/ sponsor booths and 43 crafting booths will be at the Huntley Fall Festival.
“There is something for everyone and it is not expensive at all,” said Rysavy. “It’s a nice way to bring the community together and get a few laughs.”
More information about the Huntley Fall Festival can be found here.