Fall festivals in Owen County

The month of October brings fall, which also brings fall festivals. Several different festivals will take place in Owen County within the next month. Here are a few worth noting.

Cataract Volunteer Fire Department Bean Dinner Festival: Oct. 3 to 5

The Cataract Volunteer Fire Department will host the 56th annual Bean Dinner Festival, set for Oct. 3 to 5 in northwestern Owen County.

The festival will, of course, feature the CVFD's signature ham and beans cooked over an open fire. Beans will be served from noon to 8 p.m. on Oct. 3, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 4 and 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 5.

The event also features live music and more than 125 vendors.

For more information, visit cataractfire.com or email cataractbeandinner@yahoo.com.

The Cataract VFD relies on this festival to generate more than 60 percent of its annual operating funds.

Spencer Pride Festival: Oct. 4

The annual Spencer Pride Festival will take place from noon to 7 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 4 in downtown Spencer.

The festival includes free parking and free admission.

The event will feature live, local entertainment, and local brewery Civilian Brewing Corps will be onsite selling alcohol for those 21 and over.

This year's festival marketplace will feature more than 150 booths from retail businesses and not-for-profit organizations. A huge variety of festival foods will be available, including cotton candy, pretzels, fresh baked goods, elephant ears, specialty ice cream, candies and more.

Additionally, plazas will be spread throughout the event, where individuals can gather and focus together.

Official Spencer Pride Festival merchandise will be on sale at the festival, including limited edition t-shirts which tend to sell out during the event. These items are available at the Spencer Pride commUnity center, located on the north side of the Owen County Courthouse square.

A variety of free Health & Wellness services, including HIV screening, vaccinations and more, will also be available at the Spencer Pride Festival. The festival also features a blood drive.

There is also a ticketed 21+ only after party hosted at the Spencer Pride commUnity center. Tickets can be purchased online.

The Spencer Pride Festival is a place where all are welcome, regardless of their age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, socioeconomic status or ability. For more information, visit spencerpride.org, call 812-652-5000, or email info@spencerpride.org.

Fiesta! Owen County: Oct. 11

Fiesta! Owen County is making its return on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Get ready for an unforgettable celebration of culture, music and community. The event takes place from 2 to 8 p.m. on Market Street in downtown Spencer, adding more than two additional hours of fun.

Fiesta! Owen County will feature salsa dancing, Lotería, crafts, cultural booths, piñata and authentic Hispanic food.

Bring your family and friends to celebrate together with great music, delicious food and lots of fun activities.

Event sponsors include the Owen County Chamber of Commerce, Boston Scientific and the Sweet Owen Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Pumpkins in the Park: Oct. 11

The annual Pumpkins in the Park at the Gosport Town Park will take place from 3 to 6 p.m. Oct. 11.

While this event isn't free, all proceeds go to support the Lazy Days Festival.

Admission is $10 and includes games, pumpkin painting, a bounce house, face painting, pinatas, potato sack races and a pumpkin roll relay.

The event is sponsored by Gosport Dental, Insurance Services, Gosport VFW Post 7850 & Auxiliary, The Crazy Lady Nextdoor, Penguin Cycle Works, Harriman Farms & Greenhouse, Brighton Developments, Babbs, Harvest Moon Farms & Winery, Value Market, Niki Gessler Artist, 67 Auto Salvage, Style Station and Owen County State Bank.

Arts in the Park: Oct. 25

Sweet Owen Arts Commission will host an inaugural Arts in the Park and Classic Car Show.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 25 in Cooper Commons Park.

Car show registration begins at 11 a.m., with awards starting at 3:30 p.m.

The event will feature live performances, live demonstrations, kid activities, art, food and fun.

Vandalia Chili Fest: Nov. 2

The annual Vandalia Community Preservation Association (VCPA) Chili Fest will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Chili and dessert will be served in the historic Vandalia one-room schoolhouse beginning at 1 p.m. The multi-talented Lloyd Wood and Band will perform a variety of classic country music in the Vandalia Historical Chapel starting at 2 p.m.

Enjoy an afternoon of great entertainment and food while supporting a great cause. The cost of the event is $12 for adults and $5 for children (age 10 and under), which includes both the meal and the live music.

Proceeds benefit VCPA for preservation and maintenance of the historic chapel and schoolhouse. The event will take place in the village of Vandalia (six miles west of Spencer on S.R. 46) at 5471 Vandalia Rd., Spencer.

Visit the VCPA Facebook page, facebook.com/vandaliacpa, and website, vandaliacpa.org, for more information.