Downtown Fulton will be home to live music, art, and local producers of artisinal food on Oct. 11 for Autumn on the Bricks.
According to organizers, the event - a re-invention of last year's fall festival - is intended to serve as an opportunity to feature regional talent in the world of food production and the arts.
"We really tried to focus on what we produce in this area," said event organizer Jerrie Bell. "This is an effort for us to expand on last year and really cultivate the idea of what we have. We have a great deal here, and we'd like to expand on that and showcase it."
Autumn on the Bricks, set for 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Court Street between Fifth and Sixth streets, will feature tastings from five wineries, craft beer breweries and various artisinal food vendors. The Fulton Farmers Market will have extended hours from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cliff Nevins and Garry Vaught will compete in an all-day Wild Game cook-off, with each preparing a wild boar. Attendees can cast $1 votes to determine the winner. Tastings will start at 4 p.m. with the winner to be announced at 6 p.m.
There will be demonstrations as well, ranging from wooden spoon carving to pickle and sauerkraut making. Some of the local crafters featured will include Ann Mays of Alpacas d'Auxvasse, will be weaving and dyeing alpaca wool; Josh Stevens, who will be sawing logs and leather working by Phil Phelps.
Plein air artist will be painting throughout the festival, with the opportunity to bid on their work in a sealed bid auction at the Art House. The auction will also include pieces at the Art House. The auction will close at 6 p.m. and the winners will be announced during a reception at 6:30 p.m. at the Art House.
Autumn on the Bricks will also feature live music throughout the day, with Joel Anderson Jazz at 10 a.m., Me and Jim at 12:15 p.m., Grady Frazier at 2:30 p.m. and the Rockatomics at 5 p.m.
There will be a pumpkin patch and a kids' corner for younger attendees, with face painting, pumpkin painting and tie-dye T-shirt making.
According to the event website, food and drink booths will open at noon, to include bison and beef burgers, hot dogs, locally-made brats, veggie burgers, home fries and homemade desserts.
There will also be a raffle for a $500 Brick District shopping spree, with tickets available for $1 or six for $5.
The event is free, but there will be a tasting passport for $10 that allows tastings from all five wineries, the beer vendors and food.
All proceeds will go to the Art House.
Art House Curator Brian Mahieu, who also has worked to help organize Autumn on the Bricks, said he is excited about the long-term concept - inspired by the Missouri River Bluffs Association - that is tied into the event.
"We are showcasing artisinal food, wine, fine art and crafts produced in Boone, Callaway, Moniteau, Cole and Osage counties ... that should all have the same sense of place," Mahieu said. "I'm excited about the concept and growing every year and bringing in more and more producers each year."
He said the festival serves as a good bookend to the Morels and Microbrews event in the spring and is a good opportunity to support local arts.
Bell said she is hoping that a good crowd turns out to do just that.
"I would really encourage people to come out. It's really going to be a fund day with lots to see and do," she said.
For more information, visit the Autumn on the Bricks website at www.thebrickdistrict.com/autumn-on-the-bricks.html.