Organizers of the North Fort Myers Community Park’s Annual Fall Festival are offering area businesses a chance to advertise their business for free at an annual event that always draws more than 1,000 people.

“This is a free event for the community,” said June Christine Susterich,

senior parks & recreation specialist for the park. “We’re now looking for local businesses that would like to advertise for free. We’re suggesting they put up a table or 10 x 10 tent and have it decorated in a fall theme.”

The offer is open to only 40 businesses, who will set up on the football field of the park. “We are asking businesses to have small give-a-ways to attract fairgoers to their tents, such as candy, key chains, coupons, etc.”

There will be no selling allowed, she said.

Businesses must register by Friday, Oct. 16 to get a spot. Candy should be individually wrapped and safe.

The Ninth Annual Fall Festival will be held Friday, Oct. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m.

“Children in costume – a maximum of 200 – will receive a free bag of safe candy after the costume contest,” she said. This is a change from previous years, when kids would get a candy bag before the contest, and some wandered off and didn’t participate.

“They have to participate to get the candy bag,” she said.

The emcee and entertainer for this year is Brooke Huffmaster. There will also be the popular scare house, hay rides, bounce house, slides, games, give-a-ways and raffle along with the costume contest – and more.

Something else that is new this year is that the Pop Warner football concession stand will be open to purchase food and drink.

“The MOMS Club will also have a Fall Fest Theme backdrop for pictures,” said senior recreation specialist Libby Olive, a fellow organizer. “But bring a camera. They won’t be providing the photos.”

One tradition over the last few years that won’t change is an ongoing dedication of the park memorial to late officer Sgt. Felix Romano.

“Sgt. Romano was an active volunteer at our park,” said Olive. “He actually volunteered here the day before his accident. Romano had been umpiring a game between the Sheriff’s and Fire departments when, on his way home, he was killed in an auto accident on I-75.”

The local Home Depot donated a new palm tree to accompany his memorial stone plaque that sits at the Recreation Center entrance.

“It’s a Spindle Palm,” said Olive.

This will be the third year Romano will be recognized at the festival.

More than 1,200 people attended the festival in 2008.

“We are also looking for volunteers and sponsors to help with this event,” Olive said. Sponsors can sponsor the bounce house slides or donate candy.

They are needed, both organizers said, to keep this free community event free in this economy.

For information, call Susterich or Olive at 652-6002. North Park is located in back of the North Fort Myers Library at 2021 N. Tamiami Trail in North Fort Myers.