Although the first day of Elmwood Park’s Fall Fest was a rainy one, there were still people who came out to enjoy the start of the event Friday.
As steady rain poured on the event’s first day, Sept. 18, people still came out and danced in the rain to live music or came out with their umbrellas. Luckily, good weather on the last two days of the event brought out a lot more people.
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The third-annual Elmwood Park Fall Fest was located on Diversey Avenue between 73rd and 74th avenues and ran from Sept. 18 to Sept. 20. Ten food vendors sold food like chicken wings or the Elmwood Park Fire Department’s house-made chili.
The weekend was filled with live music performances and children’s activities.
Elmwood Park Village Manger Paul Volpe said despite the rain, the event was well-attended, especially on Saturday.
“We had a great turnout overall on Saturday and Sunday,” he said. “We had a really great turnout on Saturday. The Saturday music lineup was great.”
Jim Parenti, who is a financial analyst for the village, helped plan the event. He said the clear weather on the last two days played a big part in the success of the event.
“On Saturday and Sunday, the weather was great,” he said. “Yesterday [Sept. 20] ran a little slow, but everyone had a good time.”
Even in the rain Friday, people at the festival seemed to enjoy themselves.
Christina Ortiz, 28, brought her daughter Lelani, 7, out on that night. As Lelani begged her mother to let her move closer to the stage so she could dance, Christina said she didn’t mind the rain.
“It’s unexpected, but you have to make the best of it,” she said. “This is my second year coming out. It may be raining, but every day is a blessing.”
Jan Samonte, 29, who lives on the 7400 block of Diversey Avenue, said he always come out for the food.
“I came out last year and the year before, because it’s right in front of my door,” he said.
Mitch Kaiser, of the Mont Clare/Elmwood Park Lions Club, said he and his fellow members were positive they would sell as many bratwursts or more than they did last year.
“Last year we sold 800 and this year we’re looking for 1,200,” he said.
Cathal “Charlie” Lynch, owner of Celtic Corner on the 7300 block of Diversey, had a booth selling shepherd’s pie. He didn’t mind the rain because it reminded him of home.
“It’s good old Irish weather,” Lynch said.
Carmen Soto seemed to have the best seat in the house, looking at the bandstand from her friend’s covered porch on the 2800 block of 73rd Court. There, she could sit and watch the band without getting wet.
“I love this every year and it’s a good thing,” Soto said. “It brings people out. It’s nice and I love it.”
Volpe was somewhat surprised by the turnout on Friday and said the event was a success overall.
“People came out [on Friday] and it stayed open the whole time, given the weather,” he said. “It was a really nice family event.”
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Twitter: @DavidDPollard