The league event is meant to celebrate Mantua, but is also open to anyone outside of it.
For the first time in its history, Mantua’s little league will host a fall festival at their fields off of Main Street on Saturday Sept. 30.
The free event will feature a variety of entertainment and activities, including food, face painting, corn hole games and pumpkin decorating. Attendees will pay only for vendor purchases and certain attractions and they can arrive at any point during festival hours, 4 to 7 p.m. (Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 1.)
The main goal of the festival, according to the league’s Nicole Steen, is to bring the community together and celebrate Mantua.
“This idea came about by thinking of ways to bring the Mantua community together,” she explained. “The MLL board were hashing out ideas and we decided to go forth with this event. The Mantua fall festival is all about bringing our community together
“We are a small town and baseball is a small, but major piece of it,” she added. “We love our Mantua little league families, and anytime we can include the community into our events, it’s a win-win. This event is open to anyone in Mantua and outside towns.”
The league is also hosting a mum fundraiser as a way to support players. Individuals can order mums by filling out an online form by Sept. 14 and can pick up their plants at any point during the festival.
Vendor tables will also be available so businesses can promote themselves and attract new customers. To set up a table, email sponsormantuall@gmail.com.
Given that the festival is a first for the league, it expects a few bumps along the way.
“We are expecting a decent turnout,” said Steen. “This event is open to anyone in Mantua and outside towns. This is the first fall festival that we are hosting, and we are all really excited for it.
“Being that it is our first year,” I am sure we are going to have some bumps in the road,” she added, “but really hope everyone comes out for a fun night.”
The league features access to both baseball and softball programs and is currently in its fall season. Another reason for the festival is to help raise awareness for its programs.
