The pumpkin season has arrived in Peekskill with the traditional Fall Festival. Riverfront Green Park will once again be the stage for the gathering organized by the city’s Rotary Club. The event is scheduled for Saturday, October 4, starting at 11 a.m. The program, free of charge, will include a full day of family activities: music, games, raffles, and food until 5 p.m.

In 2016, the Fall Festival replaced the historic Horse Show & Country Fair, which had been held for five decades at Blue Mountain. In 2021, with the same fundraising mission, the gathering moved to the Hudson Riverfront and established itself as the central autumn event for the organization and the community.

This year’s agenda includes live music and a DJ, along with a row of food trucks, artisan vendors, and a beer and wine garden. Children’s activities will also occupy a prominent space: pumpkin painting, a kids’ maze, inflatables, and games with prizes.

The Rotary Club also confirmed a grand raffle, with an electric bicycle as the top prize, in addition to VIP ticket packages for sporting events, jewelry, restaurant dinners, and items donated by local businesses, extending support to the city’s entrepreneurs.

One of the most anticipated activities will take place between noon and 4 p.m. The chili contest, open to local cooks from Peekskill and surrounding towns, will be held at the gazebo area. Visitors will be able to taste the dishes and vote for their favorite preparation.

The history of the festival reflects a continuous line of transformations. In 2019, the Rotary organized its last traditional Horse Show. In 2021, during the pandemic, a hybrid format emerged: an outdoor fair at the Riverfront combined with virtual streaming of equestrian competitions. Starting in 2022, the Fall Festival became October’s fixed annual date.

Archives recall how visitors once found in the “Kountry Kitchen” apple pies, cider donuts, and cash-prize raffles for riders. Today, the traditions of food and raffles continue in a different setting, with the same purpose: raising funds for community projects and student scholarships.

Founded in 1919, the Rotary Club of Peekskill continues its structure of local and international support. All proceeds from the festival are allocated to these programs. Vendors, artisans, or sponsors interested in participating may contact the organization directly at [email protected] or through its official social media channels.