Music, food and fun take center stage
at Acreage Fall Festival

by CHRISTINE DAVIS
Palms West Monthly
Posted Oct. 27, 2012

THE ACREAGE — As a teenager, Robert Trepp loved going to fairs in his home state of Connecticut. “I remember the Apple Festival – everybody would come to it.

“It was an event that the community looked forward to and we all had a good time. I thought it would be neat to do something like that here in The Acreage.” 

To that end, he organized The Acreage Fall Festival in 2008. Attracting about 4,000 people annually, it looks like others share his nostalgic feelings. 

“It’s the largest event west of 441,” he said. “And it’s growing. The first year we did this, we had five pit masters for our backyard rib cook-off. Last year, we had 34.” 

So, come join the fun at this year’s festival that takes place Saturday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at The Acreage Community Park. There’s a truck, car and bike show, as well as the backyard rib cook-off. There are free kids’ games, an outdoor computerized laser tag game course, bounce houses and two stages of entertainment, headlined by regional and local artists.  

According to Trepp, the festival keeps improving and it’s affordable too. 

“I live out here and I’m always asking people what they like and don’t like about the festival. This year, because someone suggested it, we are bringing in helicopter rides. We didn’t do that before. 

“At the end of the day, the fair brings the community together at an affordable price, so that the family can come out and enjoy the whole day and not break the bank to do it,” Trepp said. “Our beer is $5, soda is $3 and water is $2. We have a field of bounce houses and the kids love them. We don’t charge for them, so the kids aren’t nagging mom and dad for money.”  

Because there’s no charge to re-enter, many parents spend the day with the young kids, take them home to a sitter, and then return to enjoy the headline acts in the evening, he said. 

“We always bring in different acts for the stages. The festival has a diverse line-up of entertainment covering country, rock and pop, which is great for the bands because they get a chance to make new fans and it’s great for our guests as well.”  

The All Star Stage will showcase local talent all day long. Trepp says he envisions the day when someone who started out on the All Star stage opens for the headline act.  

Shay Marie, a teenage country singer who got her start on the All Star Stage and performed with her band on the main stage at last year’s event, has now spent quite a bit of time in Nashville, so she might be the one to do it first.

In addition to the “Best Ribs” $500 cash prize, there’s a prize for best-decorated booth. There’s still space in the pit area for those who know the best barbecue comes from their own grills. 

The Acreage Fall Festival keeps the community in the heart of the festival as well. Walgreens on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road has provided advertising and in-kind donations. Area non-profits are welcome to set up a free booth at the festival to promote their causes. And the festival itself provides a portion of its proceeds to various non-profits. 

For more information about the Acreage Fall Festival or to inquire about a booth, go online to acreagefallfest.com. 

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 4 to 10. Children 3 and under and active duty military are admitted free.

The Acreage Community Park is located at 6701 140th Ave. in Loxahatchee.