Sedona Parks and Rec Unveils Exciting Duo of Events on October 19

The city of Sedona is set to host its annual Great Pumpkin Splash at the Sedona Community Pool on Saturday, October 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Following this festive aquatic event, the inaugural Fest of Fall will take place at the Posse Grounds Pavilion from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

“Fest of Fall is a brand-new community event brought to you by the city of Sedona,” stated Jason Vargo, Special Events Coordinator for Parks and Recreation. This event serves as a seasonal counterpart to the highly popular Celebration of Spring, focusing on activities and entertainment that the community enjoys.

In a move to mitigate disruptions to local softball fields, the event has been relocated to the pavilion. Vargo expressed his ambition to hold more events in this venue in future seasons.

Fest of Fall will feature live music from local artists Tria Prima and Sabina Sandoval & Alejandro Wood. The event will be hosted by Dapper Dre, a well-known master of ceremonies from Flagstaff. Attendees can also look forward to food trucks, craft beer, caricature artists, and traditional yard games such as Jenga and Connect 4. A dedicated craft booth for children will encourage creativity.

A cornhole tournament kicks off at 2 p.m., requiring advanced registration of $15 per team through the city’s website. Early portions of the festival will focus on family-friendly activities, including a hula hoop contest, while the evening will cater to an adult audience.

The creation of Fest of Fall comes after the Rotary Club of Sedona Red Rocks announced it would discontinue its annual Oktoberfest. Vargo explained that while Oktoberfest was a successful partnership for many years, the department aimed to craft an event reflecting the community’s broader interests. The new festival incorporates fun, games, and, of course, craft beers.

To encourage sustainable transportation options, Vargo announced that attendees arriving by shuttle or bicycle can receive raffle tickets for a prize. Additionally, fifty percent of proceeds from beer sales will benefit the Red Rock Trail Fund. This event coincides with the final day of Toast the Trails Week, a local initiative supporting trail maintenance through donations from various local businesses.

The Great Pumpkin Splash offers a unique twist on traditional pumpkin picking, allowing families to retrieve their pumpkins from a pool. “It’s a fun event, perfect for all ages,” said Carmen Brashier, Athletics and Aquatics Supervisor. Each pumpkin comes with a decorating goodie bag. With a limited capacity of 200 participants and tickets priced at $5, the event is typically a sell-out, although some tickets may be available at the door.

For additional details on both events, interested individuals can visit the Parks and Recreation page at sedonaaz.gov or call (928) 282-7098.