Residents of and visitors to Walnutport enjoyed a nice autumn Sunday at the Walnutport Canal Association Festival.

“This is our 43rd year holding this festival,” Jeanne Boehrer, festival event coordinator, said. “This year we have 45 crafters, 14 food groups, the Lehigh County and Luzerne County Seeing Eye Puppy Club, an old-fashioned calliope. There is fun and entertainment here for everyone.”

The Walnutport Canal Association’s mission is “to maintain and preserve the Walnutport section of the Lehigh Canal and to present an interpretive history of the canal era at the Locktender’s House and Museum.” The house and museum were open for tours during the festival.

To get the best view of the canal, tractor-drawn wagon rides went down the canal path for good views of the fall foliage.

A number of local organizations participated in the festival, including the Slatington Public Library which had a book sale. The Lehigh Township Volunteer Fire Company had trucks on display, and the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor had a tent explaining its work.

Caring Hearts “DAM” Hearts had a raffle to help care for the less fortunate, homeless, veterans, and anyone in need of a caring heart.

The Rotary Club of Slatington hosted activities like face painting, pumpkin painting, and a bounce house.

“Proceeds for the face painting go to the Northern Lehigh Food Bank,” said Robin Kulp, Rotary Club vice president.

“Something else we are doing is letting people know that we will be collecting food items for the food bank during the Northern Lehigh Halloween Parade,” Rotary Club President Eric Heiney said. “We borrowed some shopping carts from Giant, and we will be pushing them along the parade, collecting food donations.”