Fallfest

Carroll County's largest charitable event, Westminster Fallfest, opens tonight with rides, food, games, family activities and music at the Westminster City Playground. The four-day festival - which brings together civic, business and nonprofit organizations with the Westminster Parks and Recreation Department and radio station WTTR - donates thousands of dollars to four charities each year. This year's charities are Habitat for Humanity of Carroll County; Human Services Programs of Carroll County; Kiwanis Clubs of Westminster; and Mission of Mercy, a mobile medical clinic that provides free services.

Westminster Fallfest week will start with the annual parade at 3 p.m. today, then continue with the festival Thursday to Sept. 26 at the city playground. The parade, which includes floats, marching units, majorettes, civic groups and bands, will begin at Dutterer Family Park on Monroe Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, east on Main Street to Longwell Avenue to East Middle School. The festival opens from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday with rides, food and games, scarecrow-making and bingo. The Full Gospel Boogie Band will perform in concert.

Four Carroll County charities will receive a record $6,000 each in proceeds from this year's Westminster Fallfest, city officials said yesterday. New events related to the festival - including a gala celebration marking the event's 25th anniversary, which raised $6,000 - helped make the record contributions possible, said Ron Schroers, administrator of the Office of Recreation and Parks. The donations will help build a domestic violence safe house, provide hospice care to the poor, and pay for anti-drug education materials and scholarships for high school service groups.

Carroll County's neediest will benefit from the 25th annual Westminster Fallfest, which has pledged its proceeds to four area charities. Money from the festival, which opens tonight in the city's downtown, will help build a safe house for abused women, provide hospice care for the indigent and help pay for several school projects. Fallfest is the county's largest charity event and is expected to draw about 40,000 people during its four-day run through Sunday. The festival has 15 food vendors, more than 100 crafts booths and 250 volunteers to keep the event running smoothly.

Fallfest opens today Westminster Fallfest 2003 begins today at the Westminster City Playground off Longwell Avenue. Billed as "the biggest charitable event of Carroll County," the festival supports designated local charities with proceeds earned during the four-day event. The 25th annual festival continues through Sunday with rides, games, food, vendors and entertainment as follows: TODAY: 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Kid's Court open, scarecrow making, Super Ride Night ($12)

Carroll County's neediest will benefit from the 25th annual Westminster Fallfest, which has pledged its proceeds to four area charities. Money from the festival, which opens tonight in downtown, will help build a safe house for abused women, provide hospice care for the indigent and help pay for several school projects. Fallfest is the county's largest charity event and is expected to draw about 40,000 people during its four-day run through Sunday. The festival has 15 food vendors, more than 100 crafts booths and 250 volunteers to keep the event running smoothly.

The Westminster Fallfest parade, usually held on a Wednesday night as part of opening festivities, will be held at 3 p.m. today. The 25th anniversary parade will assemble on Monroe Street and begin marching down Pennsylvania Avenue, east on Main Street to Longwell Avenue to East Middle School. Motorists should expect delays if they are traveling in the area during parade time. The parade will feature about 60 units, including Westminster police and fire officials and vehicles; antique fire and police vehicles; local municipal and high school bands; dance teams; motorcycles; 4-H clubs; floats; church groups; civic, public and health organizations; gymnastics groups; day care centers; majorette and drum corps marching units; color guards; cheerleaders; and businesses.