Lynn to launch inaugural Fall Fest

LYNN – This Saturday will mark the inaugural launch of the Fall Fest on the Waterfront, which will be held at Heritage State Park.The event will feature live music, food, arts and crafts vendors, a dog parade and a family movie.?It?s going to be a wonderful festival,” Lynn Arts Executive Director Susan Halter said.All money raised will go to children?s art classes in the Lynn community, Halter said.One of the bigger changes to Fall Fest this year is the new location.In the past, Fall Fest has been held in Downtown Lynn and was called Meet Me Downtown.This year it will be held on the waterfront at Heritage State Park, which is located off the Lynnway.?We wanted to grow the festival a little bit and give it more visibility,” Halter said. “Lynn has a beautiful waterfront.”Organizers of the event wanted to make the festival an all-day event, which is why they moved it to Heritage State Park.?We want to give some attention to the waterfront,” Mary Chalmers, an aide to Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, said. “With all the work that has been going on down there we wanted to bring it as much attention as we could.”Along with various events happening that day, the Dog Days of Summer parade and pageant will begin at 11:30 a.m.Prizes include biggest, smallest, cutest and ugliest dog. Grand prize is free dog food for a year. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m.Another great attraction is the live music that will be featured. Due to the change in location, there have been more music acts added to the bill.?In the past, we have had three bands play,” Halter said. “This year we have five play for the whole day.”Many of the musicians performing are locals.?There are a lot of great acts playing from Lynn. I am looking forward to all of them,” Chalmers said.Both Chalmers and Halter believe events like Fall Fest bring a feeling of community to Lynn.?It brings a sense of togetherness. A lot of great local artists and businesses come out and it is a great community event,” Chalmers said. “It brings people together.”The festival shows of Lynn?s vibrant creative community.?It puts an emphasis on the wonderful creativity and arts we have in Lynn. It shows off Lynn?s wonderful resources,” Halter said.