The fifth annual 18th Street Fall Festival will feature in-store sales and activities for everyone.

Also set to be seen at the festival, which will take place around 18th Street, will be live music, such as Ron and Jan Easter, as well as carriage rides.

The carriage ride will be free, and is scheduled from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. and will start from Bartley’s Garage.

The Charleston Farmers Market will participate with the festival, as well as restaurants and different food vendors that businesses have chosen.

According to Steve Runyon, who owns the Home Again Consignment Start, this event is put on by various businesses on 18th Street, who originally wanted to get the word out about their products.

Runyon said what started out as a business promotion has turned into a community tradition.

The festival is family-friendly and is open to everyone, with activities for all age groups, he said.

Runyon said there will be face painting, and many craft vendors have been invited to join the festivities.

Out of the 18 businesses participating, 14 will provide games or activities outside of their in-store sales, he said.

The participating businesses get to decide which events or activities they will feature.

Sharon Hunter, who owns the 18th Street Garden Stop, has participated in the 18th Street Fall Festival every year.

She said it keeps growing in popularity, which is good for the businesses and community alike.

“We hope that this keeps growing in the future,” Hunter added.

Hunter and Runyon said they hope people who attend the event will learn about the many unique local businesses that Charleston has to offer.

The same businesses that are in charge of the festival also host a similar event in the spring, called the Spring Block Party.

Both the Block Party and the Fall Festival are a good mix of supporting local businesses and uniting the community, Runyon said.

Brooke Schwartz can be reached at 581-2812 or bsschwartz@eiu.edu.