About This Festival

The Paoli Fall Festival is an annual community festival held in downtown Paoli, Orange County, Indiana, typically at JayCee Park, giving it a vibrant small-town atmosphere. The event offers a blend of carnival rides, food vendors, arts and crafts displays, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. Designed to celebrate the fall season and kick off Labor Day weekend, it creates a lively, festive vibe with something for all ages.

Key activities at the festival include:

  • Carnival rides and games provided by Huesman Carnival, opening around late August.
  • Food vendors offering a variety of cuisines and treats.
  • Arts and crafts vendors selling handmade goods.
  • Live music performances including a Gospel Music Night on Friday, a live music show with a car show on Saturday night, and additional entertainment throughout the weekend.
  • Parade on Sunday at 2 PM, featuring floats, marching groups, cars, motorized vehicles, tractors, and horses.
  • Other activities such as bonfires and community gatherings may also occur around the park.

The schedule typically runs from early evening to late evening (e.g., 5 PM to 9 PM), across three days—from Friday through Sunday, with special themed evenings and family-focused programming.

Historically, the festival has been centered around JayCee Park in Paoli and managed by the Paoli Chamber of Commerce. It has grown as a local staple for family-friendly entertainment, community pride, and supporting local businesses and artisans.

To summarize the rough event schedule and locations (all mainly at JayCee Park):

  • Friday 6–9 PM: Gospel Music Night.
  • Saturday evening: Live music and car show.
  • Sunday 2 PM: Parade downtown and ongoing festival entertainment.
  • Other activities spread throughout the weekend such as carnival rides and craft vendor booths.

The event is handicapped accessible and invites the community to enjoy a vibrant kickoff to fall with food, fun, and music in a welcoming atmosphere. Vendor participation is encouraged, especially for lawn vendors and craft sellers, emphasizing local involvement and artisan presence. Festival info and vendor contacts are provided by the Paoli Chamber of Commerce.