Experience everything that Fruita Fall Festival has to offer with a variety of subevents to participate in! There is something for everyone at this year’s Fruita Fall Festival, with a special emphasis on art and creative events. So, join us to “Paint the Town” September 22nd and 23rd in downtown Fruita!
Mural Fest at Fall Fest- Friday, September 22nd, 3:00pm-10:00pm
Watch local talent create artwork live at Mural Fest at Fall Fest! 10 local artists will be painting murals on South Mulberry Street and competing for a grand prize! Enjoy live music and watch artists paint while becoming emersed in the artwork and tunes!
What the Fest Brew Fest- September 22nd from 5:00pm-10:00pm
On September 22nd, at Civic Center Park, from 5:00pm-10:00pm, try beers from a variety of different breweries from all across mesa county, while you enjoy the live music of Fruita Fall Festival. With your ticket, you will receive a 9.75oz glass beer taster stein, 3 full 16oz pours, and a 2023 Fruita Fall Festival shirt. Tickets are $40 presale, and $50 at the door the day of the event.
Outhouse Race- Friday, September 22nd at 5:30pm
Do you have what it takes to compete in the funky tradition of outhouse racing here in Fruita? The Outhouse Race at Fruita Fall Festival takes place Friday, September 22nd in front of the Fruita Chamber building. The race runs in stages, with first, second, and third place all receiving a prize, but of course, first place will bring home a trophy! Thank you to this year’s sponsor, Family Health West.
Mesa County Search and Rescue 5k Race- Saturday, September 23rd at 8:00am
Help support the Mesa County Search and Rescue’s mission to rescue and save lives during their 5k race, held at Snooks Bottom (1051 Kingsview Rd) in Fruita at 8:00am on September 23rd. This partnership between Fruita Fall Festival and the Mesa County Search and Rescue team serves as their annual fundraiser to help the volunteer organization serve the community. Early Registration is $35, and registration after September 1st is $50. There are 8 age categories, Boys 12-16, Girls 12-16, Men 17-40, Women 17- 40, Men 41-59, Women 41–59, Men 60+ and Women 60+. Both first and second place winners in each category will receive prizes. Racers can pick up race shirts and bibs the day before the event at Mesa County Search and Rescue’s main festival booth located in downtown Fruita. Call (970)640-4401 or (808) 796-6252 with any questions you have or email grod714@gmail.com or luevano720@gmail.com
Fruita Farmers Market at Fruita Fall Festival- Saturday, September 23rd from 8:30am –3:00pm
The Fruita Farmers Market is moving locations for the weekend of Fruita Fall Festival! Enjoy all your favorite fresh produce, handcraft vendors, local businesses, and live music all in Circle Park, then walk over to enjoy the rest of Fruita Fall Festival! The market has also been extended three hours past its usual time to ensure that you have all the time you need to enjoy it! We hope to see you there!
Fruita Fall Festival Parade- Saturday, September 23rd at 10:00am
It’s time to fill downtown Fruita with color and music, with the 108th annual Fruita fall festival parade. This year’s theme “Paint the town”, so floats will be filled with color and art! Come out and see marching bands, vintage cars, and handmade floats! Thank you to this year’s sponsor, Grand Valley Bank! Apply now to be in this year’s parade!
Cornhole Tournament- Saturday, September 23rd at 11:00am
Join Grand Valley Cornhole for Fruita Fall Festival’s Cornhole Tournament on Saturday, September 23rd at 11:00am and compete against other teams for CASH PRIZES! Thank you to our sponsor, Bank of the West!
Baking & Canning Contest- Saturday, September 23rd, 12:00pm
Come show off your baking/canning skills at the 2023 Fruita Fall Festival Baking & Canning Contest! This year, the contest is taking place at The Christi Reece Group in downtown Fruita, and entries will be judged on presentation, taste, and how well they fit this year’s theme, “Paint the Town”. Thank you to this year’s sponsor, Mesa Benefits. Judging begins at 12:00pm and winners will be announced at Civic Center Stage at 3:30pm.
Fruita History Fair- Saturday, September 23rd from 11:00am-3:00pm
Join Fruita’s Historic Preservation Board for the Fruita History Fair at Fruita Fall Festival! Check out historic artifacts, photographs and descriptions of our town and learn something new! Stop by from 11:00am-3:00pm at Cavalcade in downtown Fruita!
Cupcake Eating Contest- Saturday, September 23rd at 12:30pm
Get ready to stuff your faces at Fruita Fall Festival’s Cupcake Eating Contest! On Saturday at Mulberry Stage, be prepared to eat a delicious Sweet and Simple cupcake as fast as you can, and of course, prizes and bragging rights are involved! Thank you to Sweet and Simple for sponsoring this year’s Cupcake Eating Contest! For early sign up, click below, and make sure to show up the day of at Mulberry Stage at 12:30pm!
Pet Show- Saturday, September 23rd at 1:30pm
Do you have a pet that just NEEDS to be shown off? Well, you’re in luck! Fruita Fall Festival is continuing the Pet Show this year, and it’s even bigger and better than before! Enter your pet in one or all of the contest’s categories, Most Talented, Best Rescue, Sweetest Senior, Most Unusual, Fiercest Feline, and Best in Show! All entries are free, and you can sign up online or in person at Chow Down (225 E Aspen Ave) in Fruita. Online entries will be accepted up until September 20th, and the cut off for instore entries will be September 23rd at noon. We can’t wait to see all the furry friends out at Fruita Fall Festival!
Grand Valley Beard Rally- Saturday, September 23rd at 4:00pm
Are you or is someone you know the proud owner of a fantastic beard? Well, this is their time to shine! Join the Western Slope Whiskers at Fruita Fall Festival for the 7th annual Grand Valley Beard Rally, sponsored by Enstrom’s Toffee! Participate in 6 different categories, full beard, partial beard, business beard, moustache, fantasy fuzz, or styled! All of this will be happening on Saturday, September 23rd at 4:00pm at Civic Center Stage. We can’t wait to see your creative beards!
Fruita Fall Festival Art Walk– Saturday, September 23rd, from 4:00pm-8:00pm
Fruita Fall Festival’s 3rd Annual Art Walk is here! On Saturday, September 23rd, from 4:30pm to 8:00pm, on South Mulberry Street, there will be a market of artists and local creatives selling and showcasing their artwork. Come out and support local artists, with a wide range of media and art forms!
Banana Ball Tournament– Sunday, September 24th, 7:00am
Get ready to play ball! Presented by Community Hospital, on Sunday, September 24th, at Little Salt Wash Park, compete for a grand prize of 12 custom jerseys! There is a $250 entry fee per team and the tournament starts at 7:00am. The rules are:
- Rule 1: Win the inning, get the point
- Rule 2: 50-minute time limit
- Rule 3: Batters can steal first and any other base
- Rule 4: 1 redo/game
- Rule 5: If a fan catches a foul ball, it’s an out
- Rule 6: 1 HR band/team
- Rule 7: Girls UNLIMITED HRs
- Rule 8: Men must use wood bad (no corndog unless banded hitter)
Call Preston Lee at (720) 662-1362 with any questions!
FMHS Cheerleading Golf Tournament- Sunday, September 24th, 8:00am
Help support the Fruita Monument High School’s cheerleading team at the FMHS Cheerleading Golf Tournament at Adobe Creek Golf Course! There will be food catered, prizes for winners, and tickets for tricks drawing! Register now!