Our last blog told you all about the musical entertainment planned for our beloved Marshall Autumn Fest, but there is so much more to the biggest weekend of the year. The leaves are starting to change into the amazing Fall colors. Pumpkin… well, everything is happening, from coffee drinks to sweet treats to actual pumpkins in their patches. It’s the season to enjoy the best weather and spend time outdoors. What better way to ring in the beauty of Fall than our awesome hometown tradition, Autumn Fest, which brings our community together for fun, food, music, local pride, and a multitude of festivities.
A Festival Highlight – The Autumn Fest Parade:
Meet up with friends and neighbors and bring the whole family for one of the highlights of the weekend, the Autumn Fest Parade. Marshall will fill the streets as a procession of school bands, handcrafted floats, classic cars, and local organizations rolls through. Make sure to come early and find a great spot so you don’t miss one moment of the parade unless, of course, you’re marching or waving from a float!
The Parade starts its route on 2nd Street and Ash Street. It proceeds down 2nd to Archer Ave, then turns east onto 7th Street, moving north to end up in front of the Marshall Post Office.
The Autumn Festival Schedule – Don’t Miss a Thing
Friday, September 18:
6:00 PM – 6:15 PM- Autumn Fest traditional Opening Ceremony
- Mayoral Welcome, National Anthem & Flag Raising on the Gazebo Stage on the Courthouse Square. Celebrate community pride and our local heritage.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Optimist Club Cake Walk on the corner of Locust & 6th St
- The Cake Walk fundraiser donates proceeds directly to support local youth programs, academic scholarships, and community sports teams.
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- Food & Craft Vendors – Around the courthouse Square and repeats these hours on Saturday.
6:15 PM – 7:00 PM
- Beauty & the Beats on the Gazebo Stage
8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
- American Vanity on the Gazebo Stage
Saturday, September 19
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- The one and only Autumn Fest Parade
12:45 PM – 1:00 PM
- Revolutionary Era Drum & Fife Performance – Archer Ave
- Enjoy the thunderous sound of drums and the piercing music of the fife. Witness this authentic Revolutionary War-era drum and fife performance, bringing American history to life in front of your eyes and ears. Don’t miss this stirring musical tribute to our nation’s heritage – a great experience for young and old.
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Circle City Sidewalk Stompers Performance – Archer Ave
- This high-energy, laugh-out-loud group is a festival favorite, bringing its fast-paced brass rhythms, vibrant costumes, and hilarious choreography to Autumn Fest. More than a musical act, it’s a comedy show that gets the whole crowd dancing, clapping, and laughing along.
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
- Mary’s Catholic Church Cake Walk, corner of Locust and 6th St.
- This event is a festival favorite. Listen to the music, walk the circle, and if your lucky number gets called, you may get to take home a delicious, homemade cake or baked treat.
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Whiskey Sour on the Gazebo Stage
8:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- No Fences on the Gazebo Stage
- Don’t miss this fabulous Garth Brooks Tribute
Sunday, September 20
7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
- Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show Registration -Corner of 6th & Archer
- Registration for the Autumn Fest Car Show opens on-site for $20 per vehicle. Bring your classic, muscle car, or custom-built cart or motorcycle to the registration area to secure your spot, get your voting number, and get into the competition to win that trophy.
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
- Worship Service with the Church of the Nazarene – Gazebo Stage
- Gather together for community, fellowship, and worship while enjoying inspiring music, a timely message, and a welcoming atmosphere. Everyone is welcome, locals and visitors alike.
10:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Food & Craft Vendors – Around the Courthouse Square
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
- Tot Rod Pedal Pull Registration – Corner of Locust & 5th St
- This one is for our little drivers! Sign up your kids for this high-energy competition. Registration opens on-site just before the event—let your little ones pedal their way to the finish line and compete for fun prizes and bragging rights.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM – Tot Rod Pedal Pull
- Kids will compete in a sanctioned, modified pedal tractor pull to see who can pull the weighted sled the farthest and the fastest.
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
- High Cotton – Gazebo Stage
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
- Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show Awards Ceremony – Gazebo Stage
- Join us on the community stage to celebrate the incredible vehicles and passionate owners of this year’s Autumn Fest Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show. Winners will receive custom trophies and specialty plaques, and our judges will crown the absolute best on wheels.
There will be lots going on around town even after Festival Hours. Many of our shops, watering holes, and restaurants will be open too, so please support our local businesses. And don’t forget to visit Marshall all year long, especially at the holidays.
Live local – Celebrate Local – Shop local.
