Fall Festival returns in Franklin Square

There will be plenty of family fun when the annual Franklin Square Fall Festival kicks off Sept. 23.

The event, hosted by the Franklin Square Historical Society, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring fall-themed activities, games, food vendors and more. The rain date is Sept. 30.

Popcorn, bratwurst, pie, hot dogs and more will be available for purchase at the festival. The profits made from the food purchased will go back into the Franklin Square Historical Museum. There is no admission fee for the event.

“The amount of talent in Franklin Square and close by is really amazing,” said Nancy Youngfert, president of the Franklin Square Historical Society.

T-shirts and pillows with an illustration of the original Franklin Square and Munson Fire Department, dated 1907, will be available. The shirts cost $15 to $20 and the pillows cost $35. Purchase proceeds will benefit the museum.

“It’s really kind of cute because it shows what it looked like,” Youngfert said.

Books from Paul VanWie, Franklin Square historian and author, will be available for purchase for $15 to $20. “Franklin Square” and “Landmarks in Hempstead Town” are just two of several books the community can check out at the festival.

Youngfert often teases VanWie for having collected Franklin Square memorabilia since the time he was in diapers.

“We’re lucky that he was interested that young, because he was able to meet and talk to a lot of the people who were featured in the museum,” she said.

The festival, known in the 1980s as the Apple Fest, grew in popularity over the past several years since the Franklin Square Civic Association and historical society became involved. The Apple Fest was originally held on the grounds where the Franklin Square Historical Museum stands today.

The civic association decided to make the festival a larger event to raise funds for the museum.

“In the form that it’s taken now, it’s a very fun event,” she said.

Community craft makers and other vendors are with vendor booths at $25 each with funds going back to the museum. Booths are also given to nonprofits free to advertise their services to the community.

Last year the festival was able to fundraise over $3,000 for the historical society.. While the event has no goal for fundraising, Youngfert appreciates the generosity of the community in donating food and beverages for the event.

“Far and wide, people are willing to donate something to help us along,” Youngfert said.

The event’s success is measured by the amount of people who enjoy the festival. Last year, about 900 people attended.

“It just really is a good community event, and of course it brings people to the museum grounds to see the museum,” she said.

The Franklin Square Historical Museum is open every first Sunday of the month from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.