Pumpkins are on order and the chill is in the air as Rochester Main Street Volunteers put the final touches on their second annual OctoberFest scheduled for Saturday, October 9 from 10 am until 2 pm on Hanson Street, Central Square and Factory Court in downtown Rochester. This years event will feature an apple pie and pumpkin pie contest. Participants are asked to register their pies at the pie booth on Hanson Street no later than 11:00 am. Medals will be awarded the winners of the best pumpkin and apple pies! Rochester Historical Society will also be open that day with a special exhibit entitled "Then and Now". OctoberFest is a family fun event that features games, food, entertainment, demonstrations and many other activities such as last year's favorite Punkin' Painting activity.  OctoberFest is underwritten by Holy Rosary Credit Union and the Traveling Barnyard is sponsored by MetroCast. Storyteller Joanne Piazzi will engage the audience at 1:00 pm with fall stories of apples, pumpkins and a giant pumpkin named Punkeen who roamed New Hampshire.  

OctoberFest will feature two stages, one in Factory Court and the Main Stage on Hanson Street. Main Stage events include dance performances by Studio 109, Happy Times Squares, and Corinne's School of Dance along with students from the Andrea Veal School of Voice. Factory Court will host "Two for The Road", a dual performance by Brian Munger and Barb Dorsett, and The Dixie Kats. Guitar and Banjo Busker Paul Mangione will perform in Central Square. Watch for the adult and child "Squashed Pie" contests.  Volunteers are still needed, and it's not too late to enter a booth for crafts, art, food or your business. There is no charge to participate for Rochester businesses or non-profits, and outside vendors are charged a nominal fee. On line registration forms are available at www.rochestermainstreet.org.   Free parking is available nearby at the Union Street, Congress Street, City Hall and North Main Street Parking Lots or in the Fosters Parking Lots and there is no admission fee.   For more information on OctoberFest or to sign up to participate, please contact the Rochester Main Street Office at 603-330-3208 or email director@rochestermainstreet.org. The contact number the day of the event is 603-781-7116.