Carnivale is the theme to this art-and-craft fesitval

By Cindy Heath Chair, 2012 Frankfort Fall Festival

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Carnival at Carnivale: The midway will be in full swing at the Frankfort Fall Festival this year. Brettt Roseman ~ Sun-Times Media

Every Labor Day brings thousands of visitors to the streets of historic downtown Frankfort. The event transforms our community from a quaint and lively little village into a thriving beehive of excitement and celebratory activity. What better theme could illustrate this transformation than one which draws on the carefree celebration of life which is the Carnivale tradition? When I imagine Carnivale, I think of friends, neighbors and visitors coming together for a days-long party in the streets. It’s a vibrant, colorful and incredibly uplifting event, with parades, music, good food and great friends...just like the Frankfort Fall Festival!

People have asked me if I meant the Brazilian Carnaval, the Venetian Carnivale or the New Orleans Mardi Gras. My answer to them all has been the same: all of the above. Along with the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce and hundreds of dedicated yellow-shirted volunteers, I intend for the 2012 Frankfort Fall Festival to embody that culturally transcendent spirit of community revelry which defines Carnivale around the world.

This year, the Frankfort Chamber of Commerce decided to carry the Carnivale theme throughout a year’s worth of activities. For example, the annual Frankfort Business Expo held in March was themed Carnivale and golfers during this July’s Chamber Golf Outing adorned themselves in colorful beads. One sure thing about this theme is that everyone finds it fun and easy to plan around. Expect to see lots of feathers, colorful beads and masks and more on the streets of Frankfort during Labor Day weekend.