The first-ever Brookings Fall Festival was met with success last Saturday, and officials hope to continue the event in the future.

The festival included pumpkin painting, bouncy castles, vendors, food trucks and live entertainment on Main Street. Students and families in attendance said they enjoyed the vendor options this year and would return if the festival occurs next year.

Kalee Richardson, a sophomore interior design major, said she was blown away with all the unique stores and vendors.

“I don’t really go downtown to shop that often but after visiting more stores and seeing all the new things that have been added this year, I’m definitely coming down more often,” Richardson said.

The festival hosted several vendors, both from Brookings and the surrounding area, like the Oar Boutique, a new business in Arlington, South Dakota.

“It’s been steady all day and everyone has been really friendly,” Katie Krogman, owner of the new business, said. 

She said the event was a lot of fun and that her business would be back next year. The Oar Boutique was just one of the many vendors downtown with businesses on Main Street.

Kyle Haroldson, owner of Haroldson Farms, is a frequent vendor at the Brookings Farmers Market. He says the turnout to the Fall Festival was better than it usually is for the Farmers Market alone.

“There’s a lot of people here, and everyone seems to be enjoying it,” he said. “It’s a great way to get involved in the community.”

Along with Haroldson Farms, Berndt Family Produce also helped people get into the fall mood by selling pumpkins, squash and various other produce.

Another big hit among the crowd was the food trucks. Trudy Robinson, owner of Mama Trudy’s Homestyle Cooking, drove an hour and a half from Minnesota and said they had good business from the event and would participate again in the future.

This isn’t the end for those who want local produce and unique gifts. The Farmers Market will continue until the end of October. It’s normal location is near the South Dakota Children’s Museum on 300 6th Ave. every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.