City's October Fest features Beatles tribute band

Studio Two re-creates the Fab Four at Rochester's October Fest. (Courtesy photo)

Volunteers at Rochester Main Street are busy preparing for the sixth annual October Festival to be held on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the heart of downtown.

This year's event will be held on Hanson Street, in Central Square and at Factory Court. As part of the celebration, the main stage on Hanson Street will feature entertainment throughout the day with headliners Studio Two Beatles Tribute Band (celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Beatle's coming to America, 11 am to 1 pm), dance company demonstrations, jazz vocalist Linda Pouliot and other performances.

The festival offers food, fun, games, demonstrations, and an interactive Barnyard Petting Zoo courtesy of Holy Rosary Credit Union. Rochester Main Street will host a "Mile High Apple Pie" baking contest, and all entries must be delivered to the Rochester Main Street booth no later than 10:30 a.m. for judging. The winner will receive a medal and $25 cash prize.

The Monarch School of New England is hosting a Charity Bike ride. Registration begins at the Rochester Community Center and the course opens at 8:30 am for a four-mile Family Ride or 15- or 25-mile Challenge Ride.

You can preregister online for just $25 at www.monarchschoolcharitybikeride.com. You may also view the course maps online.

Following the ride the participants are welcome downtown to enjoy the October Festival and refreshments.

Again this year, volunteers are also offering a raffle to help cover costs of downtown events. First prize is a $500 Gift Card from Kohls, second prize is a $250 Prepaid VISA Card and third prize is $100. Tickets are just $2 each or $10 for a book of six. Tickets may be purchased from any Main Street volunteer, Board Member, at Studley's Flower Gardens, Corinne's School of Dance, the Chamber of Commerce or through the Rochester Main Street Office. Downtown businesses are encouraged to bring an activity or sales onto the sidewalk in front of their business during the Festival Hours. This is one of the few times each year they are permitted to do so as Main Street obtains a permit allowing sidewalk displays and sales during the event. We ask that businesses planning an activity or sales contact the Main Street office so that we may advertise your activity. There is no charge to host an activity or display in front of your business that day.

Children's games at 2 p.m. are courtesy of Hervey's Tire and feature a doughnut eating contest and a pie eating contest. The volunteers are still seeking arts and craft booths and organizations who are interested in participating that day. Vendors must preregister to reserve a space. All vendors pay a $75 fee which goes toward the cost of producing the event. Vendor forms with the rules are available on line at www.rochestermainstreet.org under About us/Forms and Reports.

Volunteers are also needed to help run the event that day. For more information on October Festival or to sign up to participate, please contact the Rochester Main Street Office at 603-330-3208 or email director@rochestermainstreet.org. The contact number the day of the event is 603-781-7116. October Festival is a rain/shine event.

The October Festival is underwritten by Service Credit Union.