In addition to ads and the usual story pitches to the media, Fall Fest is using blogs and social media this year to get the word out. That means you can help.

How many vocalists can boast of alongside such jazz and R&B legends as Miles Davis, Etta James, Smokey Robinson, and the Crusaders, and also of having recorded duets with country-rock stars like Lyle Lovett, Delbert McClinton and Willie Nelson?

Probably nobody besides Candler Park’s own Francine Reed. A Chicago native, Reed adopted Atlanta as her hometown in the 1990s. With that move, she instantly became the city’s preeminent jazz and blues vocalist, performing with visiting artists or headlining at the city’s major venues.

Every year, Reed leaves town for the summer to perform and record on the West Coast. Fall Fest music honcho Mark Clement has invited Reed to perform at Fall Fest for several years. But, Reed says, her schedule never allowed her to commit to it. This year she had an opening.

So, while Reed's already performed at other venues since her return to Atlanta earlier this month, a Candler Park Fall Fest audience welcomes her back at a headline performance, 8 pm, Saturday, Oct. 23.

It’s no secret that the hottest trend in the foodie nation is noshing from gourmet food trucks. Now — thanks to the work of Fall Fest food forewoman Donna Palmer — some of Atlanta’s finest food trucks and carts are coming to this year's Candler Park Fall Fest.

Among those so far who have joined the convoy:
 
• The Yumbii truck, featuring Korean BBQ,

• Souper Jenny offering “food for your body and soul,”

• King of Pops, with his handcrafted popsicles,

• Palookaville’s gourmet corn dogs and tamales,

• The Pickle, featuring Tex-Mex and bayou cuisine,

• The Yum Yum truck, which produces amazing cupcakes,

• Rooster 14 cookies, and

• Blue Donkey’s organic coffee.

Plus, the mobile units for two popular restaurants — The Corner Tavern and Cameli’s Pizza — will roll into Fall Fest as well, ensuring that our 2010 menu will provide options other than the usual fair fare.

Fall Fest falls this year on the weekend of Oct. 23 and 24. For more information, check out the festival page.
 

This year's Fall Fest offers an unprecedented number of children’s activities, much of it — but not all — tied to Halloween. Some activities will take place all weekend; others are at particular times and places. Here’s a quick run down:

KIDS’ VILLAGE

Free activities: mask making, creepy hair. Paid activities: Sand art, face painting, giant slide, jumpie, costume portraits.

When: noon-6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23; noon-6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 24

SCIENCE CREATIONS INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS!

“Dr. Sbswicts” leads innovative experiments & lessons. See www.sciencecreations.com.

When: Saturday, 1:30-2:15 p.m.; Sunday 1-1:45 p.m. & 3-3:45 p.m.

TRICK OR TREATING

Treats will be available at booths in the Artists’ Market marked by balloons.

When: noon-2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23

MY HOMEWORK AT MY DOG

Quintet of 12 and 13 year olds performs hard-rock covers.

When: 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23

COSTUME CONTEST

Children of all ages are welcome to strut their stuff — all weekend. To participate in the costume contest, however, you must meet to the left of the stage at 2:45 p.m. Saturday. 

When: 2:45-3:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23

THE GREAT LEAF MONSTER

Mythic creature and the Zomleafs that are under his spell haunt the stage.

When: 4:25 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 23

MR. ERIC OF ‘PETE THE CAT’

Eric Litwin — the author of “Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes” — offers his award-winning mix of music, storytelling and humor.

When: 2:30-3:15 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 24

Mr. Eric describes himself as "a guitar strumming, book writing, harmonica blowing, song singing, five time national award winning, folksy fun type guy." He's best known as the author of "Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shows," a children's picture book that this spring hit the New York Times bestsellers' list.

Most of the time, however, Mr. Eric (also known as Eric Litwin) is a professional storyteller and musician who focuses his efforts on children — but seems to capture the rapt attention of adults wherever he goes.

Mr. Eric is co-creator of The Learning Groove (www.thelearninggroove.com) which creates parent and child music classes. His two children’s CDs — “Smile at Your Neighbor with Mr. Eric” and “The Big Silly with Mr. Eric” — have won five national awards. After spotting Pete the Cat paintings by local artist James Dean at the Seen Gallery in Oakdale. Dean, who happens to be a former Fall Fest artist, got together with Litwin, who came up with the “I Love My White Shoes” story.

To get an idea of the frenzy that greets Mr. Eric during his performances, check out this YouTube video.

Mr. Eric provides takes the stage at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 24, at Candler Park Fall Fest, an event that highlights a plethora of kid-friendly events at the festival. On Saturday, there will be trick-or-treating throughout the festival noon until 2 p.m., followed by a performance of the pre-teen band My Homework Ate My Dog and a costume contest. And all weekend the Kids’ Village will featuring all kinds of free activities for children.

Howdy, y'all: I'm planning to upload onto the blog press releases and other announcements on Fall Fest over the next couple weeks. Here's the first one — a press release we're sending out to the media this week on the Candler Park-based band My Homework Ate My Dog, which performs on Fall Fest Saturday. It's a pretty cool back-story.

Candler Park-ites and fellow travelers: Please pass any info that you think will interest others along to your own network of friends and associates. By the end of this week, a whole bunch of press releases will be found here.

It’s tempting to label My Homework Ate My Dog as intown Atlanta’s version of a “boy band.” They’re 12 to 13 years old, have adoring fans and wear shaggy hair. There would be two problems with that stereotype:

1. The Candler Park-based quintet covers hard rock — bands like Nirvana and Guns ‘n’ Roses — not the safe stuff teeny boppers usually stick to.
2. These guys really are good musicians.

Meet Skylar Brillante (lead guitar), Max Calderon (vocalist), Conor Downey (bass). Ethan Gould (drums) and Logan Mann (rhythm guitar) [For high-res photo, go here.]

All but Ethan started playing together at Mary Lin Elementary School’s “Linapalooza” talent show in 5th grade. Now, the four others attend Inman Middle School, while Ethan attends Woodward Academy.

They’ve performed everywhere from the Peace & Love Festival in Lake Claire to the LEAF festival in Asheville, N.C., to the Georgia Governor’s Mansion — where Sonny Perdue even sat in for a few licks on drums. Recently, they were interviewed by the “Kids Channel” on XM Radio for a feature on the band.

MHAMD’s Candler Park Fall Fest set — at 2 pm, Saturday, Oct. 23 — highlights a plethora of kid-friendly events. Before they take the stage, there will be trick-or-treating throughout the festival. Afterward, there will be a costume contest. Also: A Kids’ Village featuring all kinds of free activities, and performance art featuring the NY Times bestselling author of Pete the Cat.

Newsflash! Fall Fest 2010 headliners: Francine Reed on Saturday and League of Decency on Sunday.

Rock on, Candler Park!

Mark your calendars! This year's Candler Park Fall Fest is scheduled for October 23-24, 2010.  The schedule of events is not yet finalized, but the music and arts festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, the 5K road race will likely be Saturday morning, and the tour of homes will be on Sunday as in years past.

We've got volunteers signed up for the following posts:

• Sponsorships - Doug Wetzel (678-472-7589)
• Music and Vendors - Mark Clement (404-808-3635)
• Treasurer and Contracts - Dave Aynes (678-665-3283)
• Permitting - Walt Weimar (678-361-4792)
• Artists Market - Cherie King (404-786-2407)
• Tour of Homes - Mary Alice Bray (404-522-5455)

If you're interested in helping out with any of these areas, please talk to these folks. New to volunteering in the neighborhood? Don't be shy! This is a great way to get involved. Plus, the more help we get, the more we can get done and the more fun we'll have doing it.

Stay tuned for more details in the coming days and weeks...