A BARSTOW ST. BASH! Fall Festival, hosted by Downtown Eau Claire Inc. (DECI) will resume its annual shindig on slated from 10am-5pm on Sept. 12. This year’s event will take place on a half-mile stretch of Barstow Street; organizers expect 14,000+ people to attend.

This year’s Fall Festival, hosted by Downtown Eau Claire Inc. (DECI), marks its 37th iteration – and will introduce a new layout across the city.

The annual shindig – slated for 10am-5pm on Saturday, Sept. 12 – will see a half-mile stretch down Barstow Street closed off from vehicle traffic, making way for over 100 vendors, two live entertainment stages and three activity zones.

Roughly 14,000 people attended last year's Fall Fest, DECI Executive Director Erin Klaus shared; this season, organizers expect a similar turnout.

That’s also one reason behind organizers’ decision to rework the layout of Fall Fest ahead of this year's event (which, as always, will be free to attend). 

Unlike in recent years, which have included more side-street action, this year’s happenings will occur almost entirely on a half-mile stretch of Barstow Street, beginning at the corner of Lake Street and South Barstow Street.

The cutoff will be just over the Barstow Street bridge, before reaching Phoenix Park.

Live entertainment across the Performing Arts, Youth & Family and Main Stages includes live comedy and improv, musical ensembles, a drag show and more. The full entertainment schedules with times are available at www.eauclairefallfest.com.

Main Stage

• 1:30-3pm – Nick Foytik Band
• 3:30-5pm – The Woodland Spring
• 5:30-7:30pm – The Rattlenecks

Performing Arts Stage

• 11-11:30am – Offbeats Violin showcase
• 12-1pm – Clearwater Comedy
• 12:30-1:30pm – Oh Claire Improv
• 2-4pm – Sparrows
• 3:30-4:30pm – Drag show featuring Khloe Wold, Diablo, Taylor Ashton, Jem Stone & Felicia Ashton

Kids Zone

• Kid's Fashion Show presented by Planette Kids
• Diamond School of Dance student showcase
• CollECtive Choir performance
• Offbeats Violin's musical petting zoo
• Performance by Irish dancers
• Music from Chippewa Valley Symphony Orchestra
• Studio Sky aerial performances
• Pablo Center's ARTmobile

Be sure to try your shot at our charity dunk tank (pictured). An annual tradition, four local orgs will raise money for some great causes.

Across the Family Engagement and Civic Engagement Zones, a fundraising activity favorite – the Charity Dunk Tank – will return once again.

Councilman Larry Mboga will be dunking in support of Chippewa Valley Multicultural festival; Council President Jeremy Gragert for the Neighborhood Association Northside Hill Fundraiser; DECI’s Hannah Durham for DECI; owner of The Coven, Michael West, for The Queer Collaborative.

Fall Fest is already maxed out on food vendors, Klaus said, though a handful of retail goods and promotional vendors slots are still up for grabs.

Plus, City Transit will offer free bus rides all day, so you can always hitch a ride downtown to get in on the action!

View this year's Fall Festival schedules of entertainment and activities – or sign up to volunteer – online at www.eauclairefallfest.com. The event will be held 10am-5pm on Saturday, Sept. 12 in downtown Eau Claire.