Chiefswood park (CWP) and the Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) will be holding the Six Nations Fall Festival this weekend.

The event runs on Saturday Oct.1 from 11 a.m.- 4 p.m. and will include a variety of local vendors and food, as well as other activities for community members to take part in.

Alysha Filer, public relations specialist for Six Nations Development Corporation, was able to speak with CJKS about the event saying it will be exciting to be back at the park this year after COVID-19 restrictions have been eased.

"I know that a lot of people missed being together, they missed going out to these events. Everywhere I go I'm hearing people go 'it's so nice to see people again, go out to events again'. Everyone is so happy to be doing it again," she said.

Filer stated that the it is free admission to the event but CWP and SNGRDC have encouraged those attending to bring a food donation that will go to the Six Nations Food Bank or donate a cash donation that will go towards the OSTTC Longhouse rebuilding fund after it was destroyed by a fire in July. The first 200 donors will receive a gift bag after donating. All cash donations from inside the event will go back to CWP for their cultural programming.

"We want to rebuild culture within our community, the longhouse burning down it was a really hard hit for everybody here and we're excited to see the rebuilding fund happening and we wanted to contribute to that anyway we can," Filer said.

She went on to talk about the cultural programming CWP hopes to develop with the proceeds as well.

"With the cultural programming at the park, we're really looking to bring more traditional programs such as crafts, basket making, beading workshops and so many more. We're looking to making it more accessible for community members," she said.

Many local vendors will be set up at the festival to showcase their talents and they've also been spotlighted on social media by CWP to promote the event as well.

Filer said they are looking at any avenue to promote and support local artists and businesses to come out and sell their work for community members.

The Fall Festival will include: kids rollercoaster; rock climbing wall; mechanical bull; food trucks; DIY photo booth; fundraiser Pie in the Face and more.