The Elk Rapids Fall Festival: Apples, Alpacas & an Autumn Day Downtown
The Elk Rapids Fall Festival returns to River Street in Downtown Elk Rapids on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm!
Celebrate the arrival of harvest season with an afternoon full of small-town charm, hometown hospitality, and classic fall fun, hosted by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chamber Events Alliance.
The Fall Festival brings the community together to celebrate everything we love about autumn while supporting local businesses, farms, artisans, and organizations that make Elk Rapids such a special place to live, work, and visit.
“There is something really special about bringing the Fall Festival to our community,” says Jean Derenzy, Executive Director of the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce. “Working alongside the Events Alliance, a wonderful group of local merchants, we get to create a celebration that feels uniquely Elk Rapids—one that brings people together to enjoy the season, support local businesses, and celebrate the agricultural heritage that surrounds us. From the fresh apples from our local orchards to the sights, sounds, and traditions of fall, it’s a reminder of how fortunate we are to live in a place where community, agriculture, and small business come together in such a meaningful way.”
Festival-goers can enjoy shopping from local vendors, lots of family-friendly activities for all ages, delicious seasonal treats and fall favorites, plus festive photo opportunities and plenty of surprises throughout the day. The Chamber team shared a sneak peek at some of the fun planned for this year:
• Kick up your heels with Sandy and the Bandits + Line Dancing with Sara Bousefield
• Visit with alpacas from Divine Purpose Alpaca Farm
• Take your pick of three varieties of fresh apples for purchase and take a seat on the tractor for photos from Jimike Farms
• Get crafty with Art & Connection's Creativity Cruiser
• Paint pumpkins with the Elk Rapids District Library
• Dig into treats like the Mini Donut Maker + caramel apples with Myrtle & Maude's
...and much more!
“Fall Fest is really about bringing people together, not just as a community, but as people who genuinely love our little town,” shares Amanda Hendrickson, who grew up here in Elk Rapids and is a downtown merchant, a member of the Events Alliance, and a parent. “It’s a chance to slow down, reconnect with neighbors, bring the kids downtown, and enjoy the place we get to call home. After a busy summer season, it really feels like an event that’s for us. As a business, we love supporting it every year, and as a parent, I love getting to experience it with my family.”
Admission is free, making the Elk Rapids Fall Festival the perfect way to spend a crisp autumn afternoon with family and friends while celebrating the harvest season in the heart of Downtown Elk Rapids.
For more information, please contact the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce at jean@elkrapidschamber.org or visit www.elkrapidschamber.org.
