Downtown Zelienople was busy with people and merchants during last year’s Fall Festival. Butler Eagle File Photo

The streets of Zelienople won’t just be crowded with people over Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14 and 15, they will also be enveloped in the scent of spices in chili.

The 38th annual Zelienople Fall Festival takes place this weekend, and Matthew Edwards, the festival’s director, said it will feature recurring events that celebrate the fall season.

“Three activities that I would highlight would be our Friday the 13th Block Party, which kicks off the festivities on Friday evening with a live band, food, yard games and more,” Edwards said. “On Saturday, we mentioned the Chili Cook-Off; then on Sunday, we have a car cruise which is just north of downtown Zelienople at Creekside Plaza from noon to 4 p.m.”

At the Zelie Fall Festival, Cindy McDermitt talks with some customers looking to pick up some tasty treats from her daughter’s shop, Crystal's Cakery in Ellwood City. Butler Eagle File Photo

The festival was created in 1985 by Ethel Mae Hall, and she built it into what it is now by directing the first 35 events. Hall died in 2020, but the festival has continued, being put on by the Zelienople Area Business Association, Edwards said.

According to Edwards, the festival is a showcase of Zelienople, its businesses and independent vendors, and the event gets support from many community agencies.

“A couple of times a year we tear the town apart to put on these events and put it back together,” Edwards said. “We would specifically like to thank the borough of Zelienople for their support and partnership in allowing us to continue to promote our amazing business and community.”

Abel Bouchee takes a big swing in the T-ball game at last year’s Zelienople Fall Festival. Butler Eagle File Photo

In addition to vendors who will populate Main Street throughout the event, the festival will have a tailgate zone, bounce houses for children, tractor-pulled wagon rides, and sidewalk sales going on throughout the two days.

The chili cook-off is Saturday’s featured event, taking place from noon to 3 p.m., and the car cruise is Sunday’s featured event, scheduled to run from noon until 4 p.m.

According to Edwards, festivities are planned completely by volunteers, and they have been working on this year’s festival since the last one ended.

“Any proceeds from the event are used to provide other events and activities throughout the year,” Edwards said, “all for the purpose of promoting Zelienople and all of the amazing things that it has to offer.”

For more information on the Zelienople Fall Festival, visit its website at zeliefallfestival.com.