BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Fall Fest: Pumpkinpalooza is set to take over downtown Massena on Saturday, October 12, with food and beer trucks, live music and activities for the whole family.

The event was brought back last year by Village Trustee Shelyn Peets, bringing in over 3,000 people to the village of Massena.

Peets recently offered an update on the 2024 iteration of the event, telling fellow trustees and the public that over 50 vendors have signed up for the event this year, along with six food trucks and two breweries.

Live music and children's activities will also be held during the event, which is slated to run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Though fireworks were held after the event last year, Peets said it wasn't in the cards for this year.

“We’re going to do something a little different with the kid’s activities this year with some carnival-type games with prizes,” she said.

Trustees approved spending $2,000 on the event earlier this year, which was "money well spent," according to Mayor Greg Paquin.

After receiving feedback from a number of attendees a few changes were made to the event for this year, including a shorter run time. Music will also be played in front of town hall as well and vendors will be staged along the entirety of Main Street. Seating will also be added near the food vendors so families are able to sit and enjoy a meal together.

Slated to play during the event are Gypsy Road Band, Dad Bods, Chris Cole and Lacey Rae.

A costume parade will also take place for children ages 0 to 9 and 10 to 16. Those who wish to participate will line up in front of town hall at 4:15 p.m.

Six winners will be announced after the parade, including Cutest Costume, Funniest Costume and Most Unique Costume for children ages newborn to 9.

For children ages 10 to 16 awards for Most Artistic Costume, Most Original Costume and Scariest Costume will be awarded.

Other activities will include bounce houses, face painting and other children's activities, which are sponsored by Liberty Utilities.

Vendors on site will include home goods, locally made products and local crafts.

To top things off, Highway to Horror will be set up in the Schine Theater for attendees. A "not-so-scary" walk-through will take place between 2-6 p.m., with a scarier version beginning at 7 p.m.

Final tickets will be sold at 10 p.m., officials say.