starting a new tradion

Starting a New Traditon

The 1st Annual Fall Fest is September 30th

By Jason Zasky

"We want a fun event that has music, entertainment, food trucks, and everything else that a small-town festival has to offer." So said the residents of Columbia, whom Kelli Johnson of Columbia Main Street credits as the inspiration for the city’s 1st annual Fall Fest, which will take place on September 30th on the Town Square.

"It's going to be from 3–7 pm on that Saturday," adds Johnson, who works as a Manager for Columbia Main Street, a nationally accredited Main Street Community organization that serves as a liaison between the city and the downtown area and “is charged with keeping our downtown up-to-date and relevant,” as she puts it. 

Naturally, the events at the inaugural Fall Fest will be decidedly fall-geared, with the Kiwanis of Columbia's chili cookoff the only ticketed event at the otherwise free festival.

"There is going to be a stage where we'll hold the chili cookoff," explains Johnson. "For ten dollars, you get to sample the chili from all the different teams, and you get to vote on your favorite chili. We will also have a crafts area where we will have local vendors selling handcrafted items. Everything will be fall-inspired, whether it’s candles and home accessories or desserts and other baked goods." 

There will also be a “fun zone” that offers a little something for all ages, including face painting, balloon artists, inflatables, and even axe-throwing.

Last but not least, the event will also feature live music, with local musicians performing from 3 until 5:30 pm. Then at 5:30, Nashville-based Journey tribute band Majestic will take the stage, performing Journey hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Any Way You Want It,” "Open Arms," and “Wheel in the Sky,” among many others.   

"People are encouraged to bring a chair if they want to sit and listen. But we would love to see dancing in the streets,” says Johnson, before noting that the Town Square will be closed to motor vehicle traffic for the event, making Fall Fest pedestrian-friendly. 

“Wear comfy shoes and bring the entire family. We want everyone from babies to grandmothers here. We are not selling alcohol, so it is truly geared toward families. My family lives here, and this is how we are going to kick off fall,” notes Johnson, who grew up in Columbia and chose to stay after she graduated from college. 

“Columbia has come so far since I was born. I have so much pride and get so excited when people come from out of state, and I get the chance to show them around,” she adds, opining that Columbia has “nailed it on the head recently” when it comes to its focus on families and small businesses. 

That said, Fall Fest is one of many events Columbia is hosting in the coming months. One day earlier (Friday, September 29th), it's the 4th annual Room at the Inn Oktoberfest at Riverwalk Park on Riverside Drive, which is set to feature live music, food trucks, and beer tasting.

Then in October, the non-profit A Worthy Cause hosts its annual block party, featuring more live music and food trucks, not to mention local vendor shops and a variety of activities for the whole family.

Events like these only add to the southern charm that Columbia has long embodied, a spirit that has been accentuated by the redevelopment and growth of the downtown area. 

“You couldn’t re-create our downtown in any other place because all our businesses are special and unique to us,” notes Johnson. “We have the historical charm that a lot of southern towns tore down. Having our homegrown retailers in historic buildings is the perfect matchup. It’s like a Hallmark movie, but we get to live it daily. 

Columbia Main Street Presents Fall Fest

September 30th, 2023 

3–7 pm

ColumbiaMainStreet.com