The first week of October is approaching, which means the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival is returning to west Franklin Street. From October 2 through October 7, thousands of people will flock to Franklin Street, lining up for food booths, rides and gathering around entertainment stages to take in the Fall Fest experience. The Fall Fest is also an amazing opportunity for USI organizations to raise money and connect with the greater Evansville community.  

Approximately 137 food booths will be at the Fall Fest this year, and nine of those booths will be run by USI organizations. These booths include: 

• USI Young Life #77: Ice cream cones, regular sundaes, parlor donuts sundaes, puppy chow sundaes, puppy chow, aloha balls, white chicken chili, bottled water 
• Delta Zeta #70: Cake balls, jalapeño poppers, mozzarella cheese sticks, fried pickles, ravioli
• Tau Kappa Epsilon #73: Strombolis and Grippos
• Alpha Omega Psi #63: Strombolis
• Lambda Chi Alpha #61: Elephant ears, Philly cheese steaks, chicken and dumplings, deep-fried pickle spears, bottled water, soft drinks
• Alpha Sigma Alpha #104: Chocolate covered strawberries, Oreo cookie balls, fruit haystacks, Chicago hot dogs
• USI Varsity Club #107: Ribeye steak and pork chop sandwiches
• USI Art Club #38: Elote (Mexican street corn), soft drinks
• Sig Tau Gamma #27: Strombolis, walking strombolis, stromboli hot dogs 

Charleigh Land, President of USI’s Delta Zeta, said working the Fall Fest with her sisters is a great way to volunteer time to help raise money for their philanthropies. Liza Jo Carney, Delta Zeta Member, will also be providing freeze-dried candy from her business Treats in Paradise at the booth.  

USI Young Life has held the #77 spot at the Fall Fest for over 20 years, and all their proceeds go back to their organization. Last year, the West Side Nut Club awarded the Young Life booth second place in the “Best of the Festival” competition.  

“Our Fall Festival booth is a great way to be involved and seen in our community so we can share the story and mission of Young Life and help students from middle school through college understand God’s love for them and purpose for them on earth,” said Amelia Hape, President of USI Young Life. “It’s a tangible way to be the hands and feet in our city.”  

Ajay Sermersheim, President of Sig Tau Gamma, said his organization uses its Fall Fest proceeds to give fraternity members scholarships and to plan events. They also use the Fall Fest as an opportunity to raise money for the SMILE Mile, an event that raises money to help support families with loved ones who have Down syndrome. Members of Sig Tau Gamma bike a mile for every dollar donated, and last year, they raised over $2,000 during the week.  

“This influences our fraternity, because not only are we helping the community with SMILE Mile, we are also supporting our own men by giving them an opportunity to make money for scholarships and gain experience in a work environment.” Sermersheim said.  

Hagen Hollinger, President of Lambda Chi Alpha, says the proceeds earned at the Fall Fest help pay for his organization’s composites, housing and other bills to keep membership fees low as well as funding philanthropies, recruitment and other events.  

“It is an absolute blast running a booth with all the brothers.,” Hollinger said. “It may be stressful, hot, and cramped, but it is so much fun.” 

Ray Simmons, USI Director of Athletic Communication, said the USI Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will be introduced on the main stage at 6 p.m. Monday, October 2. A USI float will also proudly soar down west Franklin Street at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, October 7 in the Fall Fest Main Parade. Jerry Bulger, retired Maintenance Supervisor, has created a mash up float, combining iconic elements from all the floats he’s skillfully crafted over the years. 

To map out your Fall Fest meals and snacks for the week, check out the official Munchie Map.

This piece was written by University Strategic Communication student worker Tegan Ruhl.