NORWICH – This October, the Chenango County Fairgrounds has seen a mix of live entertainment, themed events, and family activities each weekend as the first-ever Norwich Fall Fest is underway. Beginning the first weekend in October and continuing until Nov. 1, there are still three themed weekends for people to attend, and organizers have made sure that there is something every age could enjoy. Spread across multiple weekends, organizers designed the festival to feel different each time visitors return.

“We want it to be reasonable and enjoyable,” said organizer Rex Layton. “Get out there, enjoy the family, enjoy the fall, and really have a good time,” he added.

Layton emphasized that keeping prices low was a priority while planning the festival. Fridays and Sundays offer free entry, while on Saturday admission costs only $5, with additional fees for performances and special events. Wristbands will range from $20-25 depending on the day, and grant unlimited entry to all of the different rides and activities at the fairgrounds including mini-golf, rock climbing, inflatables, and rides. There are set hours for wristband sales and admittance each day. For those who prefer to use tickets for rides and activities, tickets will be $2 each and they've made everything cost just two tickets. On Friday only, get the chance to earn a free ticket if you like, follow, and share on Immortal October Facebook.

The list of activities includes: A rock climbing wall, zip line, bubble ball soccer, mechanical bull, inflatables, obstacle courses, 18 hole haunted black light mini golf course, and more.

“I don’t think Norwich has ever seen anything like it,” Layton said.

Daytime hours focus on kid-friendly attractions under the Norwich Fall Fest banner, while evenings transition into what organizers call “Immortal October,” a more adult-oriented lineup in the spirit of Halloween and spooky season. Organizers hope to grow the haunted element in years to come as they get established.

“At 6 p.m., Fall Fest ends and Immortal October starts,” Layton said. “Next year there will be a full haunted attraction at night,” he added, also noting that around the time of the switch wristbands will no longer be valid to discourage young kids from sticking around for the scary stuff.

The theme of the upcoming weekend is Comic Con and Movie Night. There will be themed vendors, live-action role playing demonstrations, including a Ghostbusters group, costumes and cosplay are encouraged with prizes to be given to the top three. There will also be a classic car show going on. Then at night, a 30 foot outdoor movie screen will play a family-friendly Halloween film.

“It’s going to be just like a drive-in,” Layton said.

The following two Saturdays are themed as Rocktober Weekends where rock tribute bands will take to the stage in the evening. The performances will have an additional grandstand ticket cost of $10 and Layton says the headliners will mostly appeal to an adult crowd.

Rocktober Weekend #1, Oct. 24, will see the bands Cruecified, a Motley Crue tribute band, and Kiss Alive! NYC, as the name suggests a Kiss tribute band.

Rocktober Weekend #2, Oct. 31, sees the bands Az If 90's Band, an alternative rock tribute band that plays songs from the 90's, and SATO Ozzy Tribute, who for 34 years have been performing a high energy show with stage sets, and costumes in tribute to Ozzy Osbourne.

“The bands that are coming, and the energy they do, it'll be just like going back to 80's concerts,” Layton said.

He noted that the production quality will resemble a full concert experience, complete with lasers, stage lighting, an LCD backdrop and what he describes as “full size sound.”

Other events on Oct. 24 and 25 include, Emerald Empire Detachment, a Star Wars group, and Salt City Historical Fencing. On Oct. 24, weather permitting, a spectacular Hot Air Balloon Glow should take place.

For the day of Halloween, organizers planned a unique event for kids. Where they will offer a discounted wristband, and for kids who “go around the world” and do all of the available activities, they can get a bag of treats.

Layton said Norwich Fall Fest and Immortal October are designed to evolve each year, with new themes and attractions added as it grows.

“My son and I are both passionate about the haunted attraction,” he said ensuring that next year there will be more haunted elements.

For now, the organizers hope the community embraces the first year festival as a place where everyone can find something to enjoy, and return each weekend for something new.

“We want it where every year they come, because it's never going to be the same. Every year we'll be able to add something more, or do something different,” said Layton. “One weekend, it's going to be different than the next weekend, so you could come every weekend, and still have a different experience, for very cheap,” he added.

Find out more about events and attraction at https://norwichfallfest.com/ and find Immortal October on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61591234186121