The Fruita Fall Festival, an annual tradition for more than a century, is scheduled to return in September.

“We are excited to bring back the festival and hope the community is just as thrilled,” said Kayla Brown, executive director of the Fruita Area Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber announced the 2021 Alpine Bank Fruita Fall Festival, presented by Family Health West, is set for Sept. 24 and 25.

The event will include not only local artisans and vendors selling crafts and food, but also a baking and canning contest, cornhole tournament and outhouse races.

The chamber is accepting vendor applications and offering a priority to local vendors. Chamber members will receive 20 percent off booth fees. No out-of-state vendors will be accepted until after July 1. 

The Fruita Fall Festival is scheduled to begin Sept. 24 with the Fall Brew Fest featuring Colorado breweries pouring draft beer at Civic Center Park. Outhouse races are set to begin at 5:30 p.m.followed by live music from the Gerry Goodman Band and Dead Cowboys.

The festival will continue Sept. 25 with a Lion’s Club breakfast at Circle Park followed by a farmers market from 8:30 a.m. to noon. A parade will follow through downtown Fruita, followed by a cornhole tournament at Reed Park, then a baking and canning contest downtown. Live musical performances will feature the Rocky Mountain Ramblers, Gunny String Band, Straygrass, Southwise Highway and Jerrod Niemann.

For more information about the Fruita Fall Festival, visit the website at  https://fruitachamber.org/fruita-fall-festival.