Autumn on Parade marches into Oregon Oct. 5-6. What’s now an annual celebration of the season has evolved from a modest gathering of a few vendors into a bustling two-day festival that attracts more than 10,000 visitors to this river city. Run entirely by volunteers, this event exudes community spirit and dedication.
The festival’s roots lie in its expansive market, which boasts more than 180 booths with handmade goods.
“Our market vendors tell us this is the biggest event they are a part of,” says Meggan Dickson, marketing director. “We have vendors that have been with us for 50 years and we gain new vendors every year. There’s something for all ages and interests.”
A high point of the event is the Harvest Time Parade. It’s coined as “one of the largest parades in northern Illinois,” says Destini Benesh, festival vice president.
“Last year we had more than 100 parade entries,” she adds. “It steps off on Sunday at 1 p.m., winds around Oregon and lasts a couple of hours. This year we have some returning entries and we’re jazzing it up with some new ones.”
This year’s festival theme is “Whimsical Weekend.” Parade entries often incorporate the festival’s theme when creating their floats.
Live music at Saturday’s Entertainment HotSpot always draws a crowd. This year’s stage will feature rockabilly tunes by Dirty Fishnet Stockings, rock favorites from the all-female band Sheez-It and high energy blues from headliners The Jimmys.
A Fun Zone features bounce houses and other family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo where visitors can hand feed animals inside the fence. The Fun Zone also features sensory-friendly quiet hours for kids who benefit from minimal sounds and crowds.
Food lovers can indulge in culinary offerings from smoked meats and authentic Mexican cuisine to apple cider doughnuts and cheese curds at the Food Court.
Both held on Saturday, a Car Show benefits The Focus House Foundation in Rochelle, while an Antique Tractor Show gives a nod to the area’s farming heritage. A tractor parade rumbles through Oregon that same afternoon.
The 60/40 raffle promises an exciting opportunity to win big while supporting a good cause. Sixty percent of proceeds go to the winner, and 40% goes back to support the festival and community initiatives.
Autumn on Parade is a walking festival, with shuttles available on Saturday for transportation from downtown Oregon to the car and tractor shows or to the nearby Stronghold Castle Old English Faire.
It’s the festival’s dedicated volunteers that make it a hit year after year, says Dickson.
“Without these volunteer efforts, this festival wouldn’t be possible, especially with how big it has grown,” she adds. “We started with seven booths and now we have more than 180 – with a parade, an auto and tractor show, entertainment – it’s just huge.”
To learn more, visit autumnonparade.com. ❚