Anthem celebrates 4th annual Autumnfest

STAFF REPORT~ 10/19/2011

Anthem’s fourth annual Autumnfest will take place from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday in the Anthem Community Park.
The family-friendly event celebrates the new season with arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, and pumpkin picking, as well as a chili cook-off and apple pie baking contest. The event is open to the public, and admission and parking are free.
“Autumnfest is a great opportunity to enjoy the sights, smells and tastes of the season,” explained Michele DeMichele, Special Events Director for the Anthem Community Council. “It’s also the perfect way to enjoy time with your family and get a head start on gift shopping before the chaos of the holidays start.”
Among the many activities are:

• Arts and Crafts Booths: More than 60 arts and crafts vendors will be at this year’s festival each day, selling everything from handmade jewelry and baby keepsakes to pottery and clothing.
• Frazier Shows Carnival: The Frazier Shows Carnival will be in town starting Thursday offering a host of rides and attractions including a Ferris Wheel, fun house and carousel. Hours for the carnival are 5 – 9 p.m., Thursday, 5 – 10 p.m. Friday, 1 – 10 p.m., Saturday, and 1 – 7 p.m., Sunday. Rides and games vary in price.
• Kids Zone: Children will have a play space to enjoy pony, barrel and hay rides, inflatables and the Eurobungee. The Daisy Mountain Railroad will also be offering train rides. Prices for these activities vary.
• Pumpkin Picking: Families can pick a pumpkin for decorating or carving at home from an authentic pumpkin patch.
• Food Court with Beer and Wine Garden: Plenty of food will be available, and beer and wine will be sold by the Anthem Rotary.
• Live Entertainment: Bands will perform live on the gazebo from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 
• Apple Pie Baking Contest: Anthem Neighborhood Watch (ANW) will host an Apple Pie Baking Contest at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Ribbons and prizes will be awarded to the top three entries.
• Chili Cook-Off: ANW is also sponsoring its 4th Annual Chili Cook-Off for Anthem residents at 1 p.m. on Saturday.

For information about Autumnfest and the above activities, visit OnlineAtAnthem.com and select the “Autumnfest” button from the “Special Events” tab at the top of the page.