Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates of the 2024 festival?
Bedford’s Fall Foliage Festival is always held on the first two weekends in October. This year, our festival will be on October 5-6 & 12-13, 2024, rain or shine, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Are you accepting applications for vendors?
Yes! Check out our applications page for all of the details of becoming a vendor. All craft vendors must be handmade by an exhibitor. No kits or manufactured items are permitted. All of the details and rules are listed within the application and can be found in the link above.
Where can I park?
Official Festival Parking is available at the Bedford County Fairgrounds and Old Bedford Village at a cost of $10 per vehicle. It includes a free shuttle ride with convenient drop-off at key Festival intersections:
Bus from Old Bedford Village stops at the corner of Penn & Richard Streets.
Bus from the Fairgrounds stops at the corner of Penn & Thomas Streets.
Shuttles run continually until 5:30 pm each day.
Additional street parking may also be available; please be advised that borough streets are heavily patrolled for parking violations and vehicles parked illegally will be ticketed.
Visit our Maps & Parking page for more details on where to park.
SPECIAL NOTE TO VENDORS: Parking for trailers is available at the Fairgrounds. Call 814-623-9011 for info.
Is handicapped parking available?
In an effort to assist handicapped visitors to the Fall Foliage Festival, the Borough of Bedford has set aside, on a first-come-first-served basis, nine (9) specially designated handicapped parking spaces on both sides of South Thomas Street between Penn Street and Vondersmith Avenue, adjacent to the Saint Thomas School and the former Bedford County Jail. Only vehicles having Handicapped License Plates or the Regulation Handicapped Placards will be permitted to park in these spaces (18 total). All other cars will be ticketed.
May I bring my pet?
All pets (including dogs, cats, ferrets, snakes, monkeys, etc.) are not permitted anywhere in the Festival area. Service dogs are an exception. Due to safety concerns, guests attending with pets will be asked to leave the Festival area; local police will be on patrol as well.
Where are the restrooms?
The Fall Foliage Festival provides portable facilities at several locations throughout the Festival area, including Central Way, the Bedford County Courthouse, near the Fort Bedford Museum, and along the River. Please be aware that many local businesses and organizations are simply unable to provide public facilities due to the large volume of visitors. Please be respectful of these policies. Click here for a map.
Where is a public ATM?
Automatic Teller Machines are available at First National Bank branches on both Juliana and Richard Streets, as well as both Altoona First Savings Bank and M&T Bank, which are located at the corner of Pitt and Juliana Streets (ATMs are in the drive-thru). Click here for a map.
Where is public seating for eating?
Picnic tables are available on a first-come, first-served basis near the County parking garage and by the River Stage. Click here for a map.
When is the Antique Car Parade and where does it go?
The Antique Car Parade, which launched the entire Festival more than a half-century ago, begins at 2:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of the Festival. It starts at Bedford Area High School, progresses along John Street to Thomas Street to Pitt Street to Richard Street, and then ends on Penn Street, with the exception of the lead trolley and cars that transport the Queen Contestants to the Bedford County Courthouse.
When/where is the Fall Foliage Queen crowned?
The Fall Foliage Festival Pageant concludes with the crowning of the queen on the second Saturday of the Festival. Each contestant is transported to the courthouse steps as part of the Antique Car Parade (arriving at approximately 2:20 pm) with introductions and the crowning to follow; this ceremony is scheduled to conclude by 3:00 pm.
How do I find a particular vendor or musical performance?
Entertainment schedules, vendor maps, and lists are available within the Festival print program booklet, which may be picked up at Festival welcome and information booths and in the weekend editions of the Bedford Gazette as well as on the Festival website. Craft Vendors are listed (along with search capabilities) by clicking on the “Vendors” link above. The entertainment schedule usually does not get posted until approximately June or July, but what is available can be viewed by clicking on the “Entertainment” link above.
Can I ride my bike or skateboard?
Unfortunately, no. Due to safety concerns, bicycles, skateboards (including electric-powered), and scooters are not permitted within the Festival area.
Does the Festival offer scooter rentals?
Unfortunately, no. Click here for a map.