Sutter Street turns back clock for fall

Historic Sutter Street will get a Halloween makeover with pumpkins, costumes and scarecrows.Folsom's first FallFest Celebration will overtake Sutter Street 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, with activities, contests and food."We didn't want a scary thing because there is enough of that — we wanted a family event," said Jim Crosthwaite, event coordinator from FirstStep Sports Marketing Group.While FallFest admittance is free, Crosthwaite suggests people bring about $20 to partake in certain contests and activities. Historic District merchants will also open their doors for shopping.The idea for FallFest, explained Crosthwaite, originated from Thursday Night Markets on Sutter Street. After Folsom's Historic District prospered from the summer's markets, it was decided to hold a fall event as well."FirstStep is sponsoring the event for the Folsom Historic District and most of the proceeds will go to the district," Crosthwaite said.FallFest will start Friday evening with the "Night of 1,000 Pumpkins" Jack-O-Lantern lighting ceremony presented by John Gladeing of MyFolsom.com. Participants should bring an already prepared Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin to be lit along Sutter Street's sidewalk Friday night. The lighting ceremony starts at 7 p.m. to brighten up the street.For those who want to carve their pumpkin on Sutter Street, a small carving station will be available.On Halloween Saturday, a family oriented day will include numerous food and vendors, a costume contest, a scarecrow contest, a children's coloring contest, a "Souper" Duper Cook-Off and baking contest, hayrides and local entertainment.Trick-or-treating with Historic District merchants will take place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.On Saturday, Disney artist Larry Scholl will guest star at the event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to draw caricatures of children with a Disney character."I think a good crowd would be 10,000 people (but) I would like to see 25,000," Crosthwaite said. "I hope that for the district itself, this will be a continued annual event."Along with the support of the Folsom Historic District, 24 additional Folsom businesses helped sponsor FallFest, said Crosthwaite.For more information and a full list of contest times and locations visit sutterfallfest.com."This is a family geared event. I'm hoping for a lot of kids ranging from 3 to 10 years-old and, of course, parents as well," Crosthwaite said. ---KNOW AND GOWhat: Folsom's FallFest CelebrationWhen: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31Where: Sutter Street in FolsomInfo: sutterfallfest.com