ORLEANS — The Orleans Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Orleans, and Timeless French Lick will host the 18th Annual Fall Fun Fest in the Park on Saturday, Oct. 10, bringing a full day of autumn-themed activities to historic downtown Orleans.
Orleans Chamber Executive Director Robert Henderson invited residents and visitors to join in the annual celebration, which kicks off with a special neighborhood event on Friday evening, Oct. 9.
Friday Night Block Party and Kickoff
Festivities begin Friday at 6:00 p.m. with a community block party and free front porch concert featuring musician Kirby Staley. The performance will take place at the historic 1847 home of Larry Padgett and family, located one block off the town square on West Washington Street.
During the concert, Hometown Scoops will host an old-fashioned ice cream social. To accommodate the event, West Washington Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Second and Third Streets. Local emergency responders—including the Orleans Fire and Police Departments—will be staged along Washington Street with safety displays and emergency vehicles for families to explore.
Saturday Schedule of Events
Saturday’s main festival runs throughout the day around the town square, featuring food, entertainment, and family activities:
- 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Orleans Homegrown Farmers Market offering fresh produce, baked goods, fall decor, handcrafted items, and a “Buck a Book” sale.
- 9:00 a.m. Registration / 10:00 a.m. Start: Orange County Homegrown 12th Annual 5K Run/Walk, departing from the historic town square.
- 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Free Ham, Beans & Cornbread Meal hosted by the Orleans American Legion & Veterans at the Legion Home on the southwest corner of the square (freewill donations accepted).
- 10:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.: Author Visit & Children’s Storytime sponsored by the Orleans Public Library, featuring author Lisa Pieterse-Carson reading her new children’s book, Takeaways, the story of “Eunice Unicorn.”
- 11:00 a.m. Registration / 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Fall Fest Car Show ($15 entry fee). Vehicle inquiries can be directed to Mike Harkness at 812-653-1648.
- 1:00 p.m.: Free Concert in the Park featuring live music by RetrOasis (formerly The Old n Gold Band) at the Bicentennial Stage on the southwest corner of the park. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs.
All-Day Family Activities and Vendors
Throughout Saturday, festivalgoers can enjoy horse and carriage rides provided by Darren Hudelson, bounce houses inside the town square, and pumpkin painting sponsored by Suddarth & Company.
The Kiwanis Club of Orleans will sponsor interactive “Halloween Story Steps” featuring the children’s book The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams. Orleans Tri Kappa will host family games and sell homemade fall treats, accepting donations to benefit the Orange County Humane Society’s “Howl-o-ween” fundraiser.
A variety of local food vendors and fundraising booths will be set up around the square:
- Orange County Cattlemen: Steak sandwiches.
- Orleans Phi Beta: Apple cider stand and bingo ticket sales.
- Dazzler Dance Center: Fresh lemon shake-ups.
- 2027 Orleans After Prom: Face painting, popcorn, carnival games, and a bake sale featuring persimmon pudding, cupcakes by Cheryl Cheatham, sourdough bread, Flour House Bakery goods by Chelsie, pies, and pumpkin cheesecake muffins.
Judging for the 2026 Orleans Chamber Scarecrow Decorating Contest will also take place Saturday morning, with winners announced during the day.
For more information about the 2026 Fall Fun Fest in the Park or to inquire about participating, contact the Orleans Chamber of Commerce office at 812-865-9930.
