Vendors flocked to sign up for Midway Fall Festival despite early, rainy weather outlook, now improving

The weather forecast isn't the best, but the interest seems greater than ever in the Midway Fall Festival.

The festival will be held Saturday, when rain is expected at least in the morning, and Sunday, when sunny, cooler weather is forecast. The earlier forecasts were even more unfavorable, but space requests from vendors "have been overflowing," Kenny Smith, president of the Midway Merchants Association, said today. "I've been turning people away."

The surge in vendors probably stems from last year's larger-than-usual crowd, estimated at 12,000. (Photo by Ariel Waldeck) The festival hours are Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Smith said the 39th annual festival will offer the same fare as in recent years, except for entertainers, which vary from year to year. The music will begin with the Midway Children's Choir in the music tent near Darlin' Jean's Apple Cobbler Cafe at 10 a.m. Saturday. A free concert from The Meadowlarks will be held in Graves Amphitheater at Midway College at 6:30 p.m.

Children will enjoy train, wagon and pony rides, inflated playgrounds and bubble houses, and adults will shop the vendors, shops, yard sales and church rummage sales. The Old Smoky steam engine from R.J. Corman Railroad Co. will again be on hand, but its visit will be bittersweet because Rick Corman, owner of the company, died recently. the festival is being dedicated to him. The company will post an informational placard about him. (Photo by Dick Yarmy)

For a complete list of entertainers, vendors, crafts, activities and more information, check the Fall Festival website.