Editors note: Fall Fest has been moved to Sunday, Oct. 15. The story has been updated to reflect the change.

With pumpkin spice coffee and pumpkin donuts on the menu, Peter, Peter Pumpkin Eater should feel at home at the second annual Fall Fest this weekend. The free, family-friendly fest, organized by the Rochester Downtown Alliance (RDA) takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 15 at the Peace Plaza downtown.

This year’s "bigger and better" festival will include crafts for the kids, fall picture opportunities, and a live petting zoo.

The real attraction, though? Pumpkins. And lots of them. In addition to pumpkin-flavored foods, the Red Barn Learning Farm is hooking up complementary pumpkins for attendees –three times as many as last year!

The fest’s new and improved pumpkin-carving contest will award four winners a $50 gift card, good at any downtown businesses.

Those who enter the contest will be provided with pre-seeded pumpkins, Fall Fest aprons, carving tools, and a workspace with table and chair. Carvers get an hour and a half to complete their masterpieces. Entry into the competition requires pre-registration and a $10 fee.

Roughly 9,000 people attended last year’s festival, so the RDA is excited to host the event again. Jenna Bowman, RDA’s executive director, says last year’s turnout "really solidified the need and desire for there to be more programming for kids and families." She caught many people leaving the event who planned on coming back for more this year.

Fall Fest was inspired by an event first organized by community members in 2013. While that initial event was a success, the RDA’s staffing capacity required it to wait several years to "re-invigorate" the fest.

The Fall Fest is one aspect of the RDA’s work to create a vibrant downtown. "We see people interacting and engaging with one another in a way that would not be possible without the [Fall Fest]," says Bowman. "As a staff, we really enjoy this event because of the positive energy and happiness that can be seen by those enjoying the festivities. We know that when people feel more connected to their community their perception about the city, specifically the downtown, is positive."

Bowman makes it clear that families should feel at home in downtown Rochester, especially at Fall Fest. "We want it to be a memorable day where all kids and families feel welcome in our downtown core." All the pieces are "falling" into place for a festival that promises lots of fun for everyone, so don’t turn into a pumpkin.

What

Fall Fest

When

10 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 15

Where

Peace Plaza, 1st St. SW and 1st Ave. SW, Rochester

Admission

Free