A free fall festival takes over Uptown Park Ridge on Saturday, Oct. 3, with live bands, a Kid Zone and food from local restaurants and food trucks. The Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce is hosting the inaugural Pumpkin Palooza at the Farmers Market site, 15 S. Prairie Ave., from 4 to 10:30 p.m.

The Chamber hopes to make the event an annual tradition, according to the Journal-Topics. It described Pumpkin Palooza as a community-wide celebration of local restaurants and family activities.

Admission is free.

Kid Zone and family activities

A dedicated Kid Zone will offer a petting zoo, face painting, pumpkin decorating, bouncy play structures and an autumn-themed photo spot, and after sunset organizers plan to set up an inflatable screen for kids' Halloween movies. Adults can find specialty cocktails, beer and wine. Specific participating restaurants have not been announced.

Live music and local vendors

Three bands will rotate throughout the evening. StoneDrift, a Skokie-based cover band, plays rock, pop, blues and R&B. Rural Jurors, a Chicago group, performs original, often improvised songs. Natalie Lynch, a Chicago country and classic rock singer, takes the stage with The Hired Guns.

Local artisans will also be selling their work. Vendors include JK's Wood Creations, BombShell Creations Soapery, Not All Thumbs Woodcrafts, JushShop and Cas Candles.

How to go

The event is at 15 S. Prairie Ave. in Uptown Park Ridge. For more information, contact the Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce at 847-825-3121.