Annual SBA Fall Fest comes to Main Street

Sykesville Business Association's annual Fall Festival returns this year with an expanded children's area and a host of familiar activities.

The festival will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, along Main Street in downtown Sykesville. Admission is free. The rain date is Saturday, Oct. 18.

The festival includes 44 vendors, as well as performances by local groups including the Century High School marching band, N Full Motion marching band, martial arts demonstrations, face painting, food and more.

Bill "Silly Willy" McGinnis, chairman of this year's festival, said the annual celebration brings to Sykesville a "hometown affect you don't see any more" -- and one that he remembers from his days as a youngster growing up in Flohrville.

"It brings back that little town atmosphere," said McGinnis. "The people down there (in Sykesville) are always friendly, the businesses are quaint and nice and the business people are great to interact with."

SBA President Craig Taylor said last year's event drew between 4,000 and 5,000 people. He's hoping for the same this year, if not more.

"People aren't leaving town as much because of the gas crises," he noted. Having more people close to home could add to the neighborly atmosphere of the event, Taylor said.

The festival is a way for the SBA to give back to the community for supporting Sykesville businesses, McGinnis said.

"This is a good tool to bring people back and say we're still here, we're still functioning and still giving you something," he said.

Children's activities will be located in the municipal parking lot behind E.W. Beck's Restaurant and Pub on Main Street and Sandosky Road.

"A lot of times, festivals are based on grown-ups and there's not much for the kids," Taylor said.

Last year, McGinnis helped form a children's area, and the festival will expand on that idea this year.

The children's area includes a silk flower arrangement craft table, a bead crafting table, pumpkin painting, face painters and a moon bounce.

Silly Willy will create balloon animals for youngsters, and there's even a "potty toss" game for the stout of heart.

Century High School's marching band will kick off the festival's opening ceremonies at 9 a.m., followed by the N Full Motion marching band and others.

Classic rock cover band, Cruise, will return this year to perform at noon.

Tri-Star Martial Arts, Sykesville Tae Kwon Do and United Hapkido of Eldersburg will demonstrate various martial arts maneuvers.

The Sykesville & Patapsco Railway will have model train displays in the Pullman car on Oklahoma Avenue.

Children looking to hop on a choo-choo can go to the Little Sykes Railway on Sandosky Road for a ride on the miniature trains. Children must be at least 3 years old and no taller than 48 inches.

Admission is free to the Pullman car and Little Sykes Railway, but donations are accepted.

Prizes will be given out throughout the day, McGinnis said.

Local churches will also participate in Fall Fest. From 8 to 11 a.m., a pancake and sausage breakfast will be held at the St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Parish House, 7609 Main St. The cost is $8 for adults, $3 for children ages 4 to 12 and free for children 3 years and younger. Tea, coffee and juice will also be available. Additional sausage costs $1.35.

St. Paul's Methodist Church, 7538 Main St., will have a food and bake sale.

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