Rocktoberfest to feature pumpkins, live music and more

A fall festival in downtown Blaine will feature pumpkin painting, a cake walk, live music, food vendors and other family-friendly attractions.

The second annual Rocktoberfest will take place on Saturday, October 5 from noon to 10 p.m. in the Pizza Factory parking lot, at the corner of H Street and Peace Portal Drive.

“It helps Blaine tourism by extending the event season and creates an opportunity for youth to invite their families to come to a big community event that they can be a part of,” said Jesse Creydt, co-founder of the Healthy Youth Coalition, one of the sponsors.

At noon, Soul Space Studio will be on site to help kids create their own artistic pumpkins. Pumpkins and art supplies will be provided, while supplies last. There will also be a pumpkin carving demonstration by Bordertown Blades.

At 1 p.m., there will be a cake walk featuring cakes donated by local businesses and community members. “Nothing brings a community together like a good, old-fashioned cake walk,” said Creydt.

At 3 p.m., the Banner Bank Kids’ Money Hunt will allow kids to search through hay bales for dollar coins, 50-cent pieces, quarters, dimes, nickels and other treasures. “It will be an intense hunt through the hay for treasure,” said Creydt.

Meanwhile, a full line up of music and entertainment will keep attendees entertained throughout the afternoon and evening. JP Falcon Grady will perform at noon with a special performance by Kelsey Cooper. KODJ will perform with Mike Bohnson at 1 p.m. Silver City Band will perform at 2 p.m., Jeffrey Elvis at 3 p.m., the Inis School of Highland Dance at 3:45 p.m., Lynden Line Dancers at 4 p.m., Bilongo Quintet with Sabrina Gomez at 5 p.m. and Exit 266 at 7 p.m.

Various food vendors will be on site, including Paso Del Norte and the Pizza Factory. There will also be hot dogs, kettle corn, pie and cider available. Adults can relax with a drink in the beer garden, which will feature beers brewed by Atwood Ales and Kulshan Brewing.

Creydt encouraged members of the Blaine and Birch Bay communities to attend in large numbers. “It will be a family-friendly event to help promote Blaine tourism and turn out more of our local young families to our community event,” he said.