Celebrating community
Plymouth and Romulus welcome fall with traditional family festivals
Plymouth Fall Festival
One of the oldest and most beloved community events is set to begin in downtown Plymouth Sept.11, 12 and 13 when The Fall Festival arrives.
The event, focused on supporting local nonprofit organizations, brings more than 25,000 visitors into the community each fall for a weekend of live entertainment, unique displays, food and family-friendly entertainment. In nearly seven decades, the event has not strayed from the core mission to support local nonprofits and bring the community together through a fun, family-focused event.
The now all-encompassing event began with a community family picnic, sponsored by the Plymouth Rotary Club. The picnic was suggested by Don Lightfoot, a member of the Rotary Club Youth Activities Committee. Lightfoot proposed a chicken barbecue to raise funds to fund the purchase of equipment for a playground at the end of Wing Street.
That was in May of 1956, and the event has evolved into a three-day festival which brings all the local service clubs, groups and school activities into a united fundraising weekend.
The first Plymouth Fall Festival took place on Sunday, Sept. 11, 1960, from 12:30 until 6 p.m. a far cry from the current three-day event which includes a dinner prepared by the Vietnam Veterans on Friday evening; the famous Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning followed by the Optimist Club Pet Show, an all-time favorite in the community. The Plymouth A.M. Rotary Club Spaghetti Dinner is served Saturday evening and the famous Rotary Club Chicken Barbeque takes place beginning at about 11 a.m. Sunday.
There is live entertainment on the stage in Kellogg Park featuring professional entertainers, community and school groups and live music during the weekend. A ‘Party Tent’ in a Forest Street restaurant rear parking lot traditionally offers adult beverages and popular live bands on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The highlight of the weekend remains the Rotary Chicken Barbeque which at the height of popularity served more than 20,000 chicken dinners in one afternoon, all prepared by volunteers from the Rotary club, along with volunteers from area school groups. The barbeque pits, which still use some of the original cinder blocks from decades ago, are set up in military precision Saturday evening and the pits are lit by the club ‘smoke eaters’ beginning at about 6 a.m. to ensure the famous chicken dinners start coming off the grills by 11 a.m.
While many groups have emulated the famous barbeque, none have yet mastered the ‘secret seasonings’ which have made the dinners one of the most popular annual events throughout the area.
Tickets for each of the weekend meal events are now available from various club members. More festival information is available on the Plymouth Fall Festival website.
Romulus Pumpkin Festival
The 28th annual Pumpkin Festival will gather the community at Romulus Historical Park the weekend of Sept. 18, 19 and 20 for a weekend including live music, food, crafts, and games for all ages. Attractions include the Classic Car Show, Craft and Vendor Show, and multiple other features. Organizers said, “It is a celebration of friends and family; a harvest celebration that generates an enthusiastic spirit and regenerates our sense of community.”
More information about the event is available at pumpkinfestival@romulusgov.com
The event begins with the traditional Rotary Club Parade of Lights, where everything is aglow, from bicycles to cement trucks. Thousands of people line Goddard Road to view the fun-filled lighted parade exhibits. Questions about this event should be directed to the Romulus Rotary Facebook Page @RomulusRotary or email romulus.rotary@gmail.com
Registration for Punkie's 5k Run Walk/Ride will be accepted until Aug. 29. Punkie’s 5K, is a family-friendly run/walk/bike through the heart of the historic city, organizers said. It is suitable for both seasoned runners chasing a personal best or those just looking for a fun way to stay active.
The Pumpkin Pub will be open Friday and Saturday at the park and the Romulus Fire Department will host a Pancake Breakfast at the Park Pavilion from 8 until 11 a.m. Saturday. Live entertainment will continue throughout the weekend at the Freight House Stage, the Gazebo Patio and the Main Stage in the park. The Pumpkin Painting Tent will be open from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. Inflatable Bounce Houses will be on site, and Bingo will be sponsored by the Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce from 11 a.m. until 8 on Saturday and from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Sunday.
The unique and popular Pumpkin Chuckin’ competition is set for 4 until 5 p.m. on Saturday and the traditional Romulus Got Talent Competition will close the festival from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday.
