The annual fall festival kicked off on Friday, and remained well-attended on Saturday morning. From bounce houses and petting zoos to festival food and a variety of vendors, the Findley Lake Harvest Festival had a lot to offer visitors.

The festival is organized and put on by Our Own Candle Company, a local business in the village. Larry Gross, owner of the candle company, said he was thrilled to be able to put on the event this year.

“We didn’t have it last year,” Gross said. “This is our 23rd fall fest. Last year was the only year we never had it. This is the fourteenth year we’ve run it.”

Gross said the kids area was provided for free this year as a “give back” to the community. Children were able to enjoy several bounce houses and a petting zoo during the festival without charge. Part of the appeal of the festival is that the focus is on more than vendors, Gross said.

Photos from Findley lake. Pictured are various scenes from the Findley Lake Fall Festival, the first that has been held since the beginning of the pandemic. Photos by Katrina Fuller

Throughout the event, nine bands played in various areas, including at a local restaurant, Alexander’s, and in front of the candle company.

“If you walk around, you’ll see we’ve got a beer tent, we’ve got music, we’ve got an inflatable kids’ carnival across the street,” Gross said. “It’s not just vendors – they’re an important part, but we try to do other things.”

Gross said his favorite part about the event is providing something for everyone to enjoy.

“I love to see people happy,” he said.

For the event, Gross said he expected several thousand people to come through.

“I get asked that question 10 times a day,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t know how we can calculate it. My guess is, over the three day period, is 10,000 to 15,000.”

He pointed out that the crowd was already large. However, he added that the festival planners did their best to provide for all CDC guidelines.

“We tried to spread the vendors out a little bit, and we’re watching the capacities of our stores,” he said. “We cleaned the kids are before it started and we’ll do the best we can throughout the day.”

Gross said he plans to have the event again next year.

Susan Jaccewski of Comfy Bandits and More said she became involved with the event after participating in another event in Westfield. She said she recently started the pet-centered business, and have done very well at the festival.

“That’s why we’re here,” she said. “It’s wonderful!”

The small business offers a variety of pet products such as personalized pet bandanas and dog toys, and also hand-made paper flower boxes.

For those who were unable to attend the event, Jaccewski said they can find the company on Facebook under “Comfy Bandits and More.”

The festival was sponsored by several local businesses, including OCCC, Findley Lake Fashions, Pine Junction, Secret Cubby, Twin Docks and Alexander’s On The Lake. For more information on the visit and other upcoming events, please visit: https://www.visitfindleylake.com.