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Fall Fest Right For Whole Family

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By B.C. MANION bmanion@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 8, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - It's no secret that taking the kids on a family outing can cost a fortune.

Parking, food and entertainment add up.

But there's at least one place where, twice a year, families can have fun for free.

Wesley United Methodist Church's Fall Fun Fest features hot dogs, corn on the cob, snow cones, pony rides, games, train rides, face painting, entertainment and other activities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25.

The church, at 6100 Memorial Highway, hosts two free community events each year to provide a place for families to gather and have fun, said Lenny Washington, the church's director of operations. Members also hold a spring festival.

The goal is to give people a chance to get acquainted with neighbors, business owners and others in the community, Washington said.

Besides food, fun and games, the venue also gives people a chance to find out more about local organizations. Community groups are welcome to set up tables to give out information about themselves, but no goods or services will be sold.

The three-hour fall fest will cover the entire church campus, with games and rides outdoors and entertainment indoors, Washington said.

The only item on sale at the fest will be pumpkins in the church's pumpkin patch. That opens Tuesday and will be open until Oct. 31, from dawn to dusk.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church's Fall Fun Fest. Hot dogs, corn on the cob, snow cones, pony rides, games, entertainment.

WHERE: 6100 Memorial Highway

HOW MUCH: Admission, food, entertainment and parking are free.

INFORMATION: (813) 886-2536

Upcoming Fall Festivals
•9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Annual holiday craft fair at Keystone United Methodist Church, 16301 Race Track Road, Odessa.

•10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18. Keystone Family Fun Day at 17928 Gunn Highway. Event includes live music, snow cones, classic car show, hay rides, food and more.

•8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 18. Arts & Crafts Bazaar at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, 709 W. Linebaugh Ave. Event features seasonal crafts and gifts, antique and vintage items, book nook, Georgia pecans, baked goods, farmer's market and more.

•6:30 p.m. Oct. 25. Pumpkin Patch Party at the parish hall of St. Clement's Episcopal Church, 706 W. 113th Ave. Each child should bring a dressed-up pumpkin for a contest, and one non-perishable food item to be contributed to Metropolitan Ministries. There will be games, treats and desserts. For information, call (813) 932-6204.

•10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 8 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 9. Arts and Crafts Festival at Incarnation Catholic Church, 8220 W. Hillsborough Ave. About 40 vendors will be selling handcrafted items and other goods. There will be drawings for various items, and refreshments will be sold.

•9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 15. Holiday Boutique at St. Timothy's Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road. Event features 160 vendors selling hand-crafted and other items. Baked goods and other refreshments will be sold. There also will be drawings for baskets of assorted items.

Vendors Needed

•Applications are being accepted until Friday for Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church's Fall and Christmas Bazaar on Oct. 18. The church is at 6100 Memorial Highway. The charge is $25 for an 8-by-10 indoor space. A limited number of tables and chairs are available for rent. Call (813) 885-3689.

•Fine arts and craft artists and vendors of unique gifts are invited to participate in the sixth annual VillageFest 2008 in Carrollwood Village. The application deadline is Oct. 22. The form can be obtained at www.carrollwoodvillage.com, by calling Maria Hochwarth-Alvarez at (813) 842-7066 or by e-mailing alvaworks@tampabay.rr.com

•St. Timothy's Women's Club needs vendors for its Holiday Boutique on Nov. 15 at 17512 Lakeshore Road. Call Carol Sanson at (813) 960-3907 or Fran Shealy at (813) 920-9623 for information.

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 865-1507.

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