Enjoy a Fun Day for a Great Cause With Chester Bowl Fall Fest
Chester Bowl Fall Fest will take place on Saturday, September 21st. It’s a great way to enjoy a fun day out while supporting a great cause. Photo courtesy Chester Bowl.
Fall is just around the corner with the official autumn equinox happening on September 22nd.
For some, this change of seasons is tough. It’s difficult to say goodbye to the easy, breezy days of summer.
But for many others, including 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 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. It requires hundreds of volunteers, over 140 vendors will be on-site, and Fall Fest leadership expects a turnout of roughly 10,000 attendees.
Chester Bowl Fall Fest offers much to see and do. Over 140 vendors will be on-site, and 10,000 attendees are expected to attend. Photo courtesy Chester Bowl.
“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
Fall Fest’s venue, Chester Bowl, is unique. It 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 enjoying nature, such as playing outdoor games, building forts, and doing arts and crafts.
The winter months bring in many fun athletic activities, like skiing, snowboarding, and snow skating. Chester Bowl offers its own ski hill with a lift. And all the gear you’ll need can be rented on-site, 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 555 families who enjoyed winter activities at Chester Bowl, 73 of them applied for (and received) scholarships.
Last year’s Fall Fest raised $10,662 in donations—a number that leadership hopes to surpass this year. Every dollar raised is used to directly support scholarships, ensuring that every family can participate in Chester Bowl’s programs regardless of income.
Logistics
Fall Fest has been happening on the third Saturday in September since 1984. It was started by Thom Storm, a notable Duluthian and avid skier.
This year’s Fall Fest will be on Saturday, September 21st, with a rain date of Sunday, September 22nd. The event runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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.”
Live music will be performed all day on the Fall Fest stage. Photo courtesy Chester Bowl.
The event is free to attend; however, a donation of $5 for individuals or $10 for families is encouraged. After all, the purpose of Fall Fest is to raise money for scholarships.
While Chester Bowl's official address is 1801 East Skyline Parkway, Fall Fest leadership hopes you won’t attempt to drive there yourself. Instead, please consider using the free shuttle buses 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 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
As noted, there is much to see and do at Fall Fest. Over 140 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.
Plenty of freshly grown items, such as flowers and produce, will be available for purchase at Fall Fest. Photo courtesy Chester Bowl.
A variety of food will be available for purchase. Several local food trucks will be at Fall Fest, and the Duluth Lion’s Club will also be selling its famous caramel apples.
Community-facing organizations, including the Superior Hiking Trail, the Duluth Public Library, Duluth Parks & Rec, and others will staff booths. Political groups, such as the DFL and League of Women Voters, will also be on-site.
A local children’s toy store, J. Skylark, will sponsor a chalkboard house for children to decorate. Gillette Children’s will provide a bounce house.
A variety of unique food vendors will be on-site at Fall Fest. Photo courtesy Chester Bowl.
Come on Out!
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 comfortable being around large crowds.
“Fall Fest is a way for us to celebrate the start of the winter season, 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 chesterbowl.org.
Chester Bowl is located at 1801 E. Skyline Parkway. This forested, hilly oasis located right in the heart of Duluth offers its own ski hill with a chair lift. Logo courtesy Chester Bowl.
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Andrea Busche is a Duluth + regional freelance writer and small business owner. She is credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications, and has been a frequent contributor to Destination Duluth since 2017.
