Fall Fest Has Plenty of Fans, Shoppers and Artisans

The Fall Fest is a Labor Day Weekend tradition that brings up to 300,000 people to downtown Frankfort. 

For artisans, it's a chance to sell their unique wares. One couple from Grand Rapids, MI were set up to sell not only their specialty "Homebrew Soaps," which is the name of the company, but also clocks set into your favorite bottles of brew—beer, whiskey, wine, whiskey.

It's definitely a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, said Bruce Payne. The clocks are set inside the bottle without disturbing the integrity of the design. "I designed my own glass cutter."  

As for how he manages to keep the bottle in-tact, "it's a trade secret," he said. "I've Goggled it, and I can't find anyone else doing it," said Payne. It's done in stages and takes about three days. It could be done in a little less or a little more time, said Brenda Payne. "It depends on the thickness of the glass and the design of the bottle."

K9 Cookie Factory owner, Jennifer Narel, of Oak Park, had a booth on Elwood Street. A regular at Frankfort Fall Fest as well as Mokena's Downtown Market on Saturdays in the warm weather months, she said her homemade goodies for canines are popular in the Lincoln-Way communities. 

Although the festival doesn't allow pets other than service dogs into the vendor area, Narel said plenty of shoppers keep their pets in mind. They're attracted to the all natural, homemade dog cookies and treats. "I don't use any preservatives," she said.  

The Fall Festival is open till 5 p.m. Monday. 

Readers might like: 

• Here's How to Get Around the Fall Fest, Parking and Shuttle Bus

• Fall Festival 2013 Attracts Nearly 300 Vendors

• New Lenox newsletter and New Lenox Patch Facebook

• Frankfort newsletter and Frankfort Patch Facebook

• Mokena newsletter and Mokena Patch Facebook