FORESTVILLE - The 2nd annual Forestville Fall Festival took place Oct 2-4 at the Forestville Elementary School with this year's event achieving much higher attendance that last year.

More than 30 vendors, two local artists, and two local published authors were all part of the attractions. To kick off the event, a '50s-themed Sock Hop was held at the village fire hall on Friday night with Bob Bateman providing the oldies music and attendees doing dances such as the Stroll, the Twist, and the Jitterbug. Prizes were awarded for the best dressed adult and child costumes, with the second place adult award going to Melanie Kirkland, and first place awarded to Jan Dolce.

A '50s themed Scarecrow Contest for residents and business was sponsored in memory of Norm Schneider. Prizes were awarded to the Woolley Family and the Johnson and Hens Insurance Company for their creations.

A 6K run was held Saturday morning with Justin Dix as the event organizer. The top male runners included first-place winner Joe Campbell with a time of 25:54, second place Ray Grof, and third place Jacob Capitano. Top female runners were first place Tricia DeSantis with a time of 37:23, second place Lauren Johengen, and third place Mary Webster.

A Kiddy Tractor Pull was held with the winner being Carson Becker. A Pie Baking contest was held with Wilma Bolivard winning the first-place prize, Jan Dolce second, and Lois Woodward third. The pies were auctioned off to help fund the festival. A Scarecrow Lottery Tree was held to benefit the festival with $75 worth of scratch-offs won by JoAnne Martin of Silver Creek.

On Saturday, Frank Schneider and George Sinclair presented a huge display of Forestville History that consisted of photographs from the past as well as many artifacts. Also on Saturday, a pork chop dinner was held at the St. Rose of Lima Church Hall in which more than 300 dinners were served. The Forestville Fire Department held a chicken barbecue of which they were sold out in record time.

Sunday events included a parade through the village consisting of several groups including the Forestville Middle and High School Marching Bands, the Karate Connection, Forestville School Cheerleaders, the Forestville Fire Department, along with many antique tractors competing for prizes. The winner for the most original was Hap Perry, best restored tractor was Phyllis Skinner, and the oldest running tractor award went to Tom Woodward.

Festival attendees were also treated to a demonstration by Joe Hodkin and Lee Parker of knapping, and a Civil War Camp was on display Saturday featuring area re-enactors.

The Fall Festival Committee would like to extend their appreciation to all of those who helped make this year's event such a huge success. Thanks are also extended to John O'Connor and the Forestville School District for their support. And special thanks go out to all of the committee members who worked long and hard to put the festival together. Committee members included: Pat and Bob Bannister, Gloria Yeager, Lorraine Hodkin, Mary Kordon, Chum and Beth Bowker, Carol Woodward, Amy Rebman, Mike Campaign and Joanne Burek.