Celebrate the season and support local families at Chester Bowl Fall Fest! Taking place Saturday, September 20, this beloved Duluth tradition brings together thousands of people, over 135 vendors, 15 food trucks, and live music—all for a great cause. Learn more at destinationduluth.co/ChesterBowlFallFest
With the official autumn equinox on September 22, fall is just around the corner. While some may mourn the end of summer, many Duluthians look forward to this celebration of community and the crisp, colorful season ahead.
For the folks at Chester Bowl – a forested, hilly oasis in Duluth’s Central Hillside neighborhood – fall is a time to celebrate. After all, autumn eventually ushers in winter – and the incredible recreational opportunities that come along with it.
One sure sign of fall is Chester Bowl Fall Fest, a fun, family-friendly event that helps support winter programming for youth and families. “The purpose of Fall Fest is to celebrate the change of seasons and bring the community together,” said Sam Luoma, Program & Operations Director for Chester Bowl. “It’s also an important fundraising mechanism, and provides a great way to give back to the community and serve a good cause.”
Fall Fest is undoubtedly a community-led endeavor. The event requires hundreds of volunteers. Over 135 craft vendors will be on-site, along with 15 food trucks. And, Fall Fest leadership expects a turnout of roughly 10,000 attendees.
“We definitely couldn’t do this without the community’s support,” Luoma noted. “It takes a small army to put on Fall Fest, and we’re super thankful to everyone who comes out to help.”
Chester Bowl’s Year-Round Programs Supported by Fall Fest
Fall Fest’s venue, Chester Bowl, is a unique place that offers year-round programming for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages.
During the summer, there are youth day programs for kids ages 6-12. These camps center around the enjoyment of nature, like playing outdoor games, building forts, and doing arts and crafts.
And, the winter months bring in plenty of fun athletic activities, like skiing, snowboarding, and snowskating. Chester Bowl offers its own ski hill with a lift. And all the gear you’ll need can be rented for the season, too.
But snow sports aren’t cheap. Between the equipment needed and season passes, these winter sports can be out of reach, financially, for many families.
Chester Bowl Fall Fest was created as a fundraiser to help create scholarships for individuals and families to enjoy winter sports. These scholarships are important to many Duluthians. Last year, of the 576 families who enjoyed winter activities at Chester Bowl, 91 of them applied for (and received) scholarships. This summer, scholarship support allowed low-income campers to attend over 800 days of camp!
Last year’s Fall Fest raised a whopping $12,012 in donations – a number that leadership hopes to surpass this year. And, every dollar raised is used to directly support scholarships, ensuring that every family can participate in Chester Bowl’s programs, regardless of income.
Logistics: How to Attend and Giving Back
Fall Fest has been happening the 3rd Saturday in September since 1984. It was started by notable Duluthian and avid skier, Thom Storm.
This year’s Fall Fest will land on Saturday, September 20th, with a rain date of Sunday, September 21st. The event runs from 9:30 am – 4:30 pm.
There will be vendors, music, food, arts and crafts, a farmer’s market, and more – for people of all ages. “All the vendor items are hand-made and community-produced,” Luoma said. “We have so many creative people in our area, and they always make sure to come out.”
The event is free to attend; however, a donation of $5 for individuals or $10 for families is encouraged. The purpose of Fall Fest, after all, is to raise money for scholarships.
While the official address of Chester Bowl is 1801 East Skyline Parkway, Fall Fest leadership hopes you won’t attempt to drive there yourself. Rather, please consider using the free shuttle buses that are provided throughout the day.
“Our biggest challenge is parking,” Luoma said. “There will be little to no parking on Skyline that day. The best way to get here is to either walk or bike to the gate, where you can lock up your bike, or use our free shuttle.
“The shuttle runs from UMD’s Lot B, at the intersection of College Street and University Drive,” he added. “There will be three buses running continuously from 9 am – 5 pm. And there is no extra cost for the shuttle.”
Festivities: Food, Music, and Vendors
As noted, there is much to see and do at Fall Fest. Over 135 vendors will be on-site, selling art, soaps, pottery, baby items, fresh produce, flowers, pet accessories, jams and jellies, and much more. Live music will be performed all day. Acoustic Duo Lydia Boyum & Ryan Lane perform from 10 to 11:30, Americana trio Owler plays from noon to 1:30, and folk band Climes will be playing from 2 to 3:30.
A variety of food will be available for purchase. Fifteen local food trucks will be at Fall Fest, and the Duluth Lions Club will be selling their famous caramel apples, too.
There will be booths staffed by community-facing organizations, including the Superior Hiking Trail, the Duluth Public Library, Duluth Parks & Rec, and others. Political groups, such as the DFL and League of Women Voters, will also be on-site.
Join the Tradition!
Chester Bowl Fall Fest is a great way to enjoy an outdoor, family-friendly event while helping a great cause. Dogs are even welcome to join in the fun, provided they are leashed and comfortable being around large crowds.
“Fall Fest is a way to celebrate the start of the winter season for us, helping us get ready for ski and snowboard season,” Luoma said. “And, it’s a really great way to give back to the community and serve a good cause.”
For more information, please visit destinationduluth.co/ChesterBowlFallFest
