WORKING TOGETHER — Trinity Health System and the Nelson family, the creators behind Steubenville’s Nutcracker Village, again are teaming to help volunteers behind the Follansbee Christmas in the Park. Trinity is serving as advertising sponsor for the fair, which will be held Oct. 11 and 12, while the Nelsons are lending some of their life-sized nutcracker figures for it. On hand for Monday’s announcement were, from left, Rachel Sommers Kemp, communications specialist for Trinity; Brodie Stutzman, nutcracker sculptor; Stacie Williams of the Follansbee Christmas in the Park Committee; Laurie Labishak, marketing director for Trinity; and Bill Secrist of the Follansbee Christmas in the Park Committee. -- Contributed

FOLLANSBEE — An upcoming fall festival in the city is once again receiving a boost from two Steubenville entities.

As advertising sponsor for Follansbee Christmas in the Park, Trinity Health System is helping to spread the word about the return of the fall festival, which will be held Oct. 11 and 12 and raise funds for a local food pantry and local children with special medical needs.

And the Nelson family behind the Nutcracker Village, which draws thousands to downtown Steubenville each Christmas, again has agreed to lend some of the festive, live-sized figures for display at the Follansbee event.

Nutcrackers that have appeared during the two-day event in the past have included a Brooke High School-themed figure, a Pittsburgh Steeler and various Christmas characters.

Christmas will be the theme for the festival, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the first day and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second day at Follansbee Park.

In the days leading up to it, volunteers and local school children will be stringing lights along fences, hanging hand-made Christmas ornaments on trees and placing bows and other decorations along the grounds.

A paved main path through the park will be lined with vendors selling food, holiday and other decorations and other items that could make unique Christmas gifts.

A disc jockey will be playing Christmas music from various eras, and Santa Claus will appear beginning at 12:30 p.m. on both days.

The nutcrackers will be displayed in the nearby Follansbee Community House, where a local pharmacy is slated to offer flu shots and local agencies will be offering information during the weekend.

The rental hall includes restrooms that will be available to attendees.

The event is organized by a group of volunteers led by Bill Secrist and Stacie Williams, and its proceeds go to the Follansbee R.E.A.C.H. Program, a local food pantry, and local children with special medical needs.

A total of $11,000 has been presented to the food pantry and two children, one battling cancer and the other, undergoing treatment for a rare disorder affecting his limbs.

The festival has raised thousands of dollars for such causes since it was founded by Secrist and Kathy Santoro.

Part of that money has come from drawings held during the two days. This year, chances will be sold for a 65-inch flatscreen television, holiday basket and assortment of items donated by the event’s many vendors.

There will be a 50-50 drawing.

Williams noted the group welcomes additional sponsors and those interested may call her at (304) 670-8416.

There’s still some space available for vendors, who can call (304) 527-0177 for information.