ALBANY COUNTY — The second annual Fall Festival and 5K on the Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail will be held on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The 5K race will kick off at 11 a.m. in the Hilton Barn area in New Scotland, run its course route down the length of the rail trail, and finish across the bridge at the Slingerlands trailhead.

The county’s running event is dubbed the “Barn to Bridge Fall Fest 5K,” and it is being managed by Albany Running Exchange Event Productions. The cap on runners is set at 500, up from 300 last year. The price of the race for adults is $10, and it includes a commemorative T-shirt and one free meal ticket at participating food trucks at Fall Fest. 

The Fall Festival portion of the event is free and open to the public and will start at 11 a.m. at the Slingerlands trailhead area of the rail trail as well as the Firefighter’s Memorial Park at 1510 New Scotland Ave. through a partnership with the town of Bethlehem.

Fall Fest will feature a free kids’ fun run; yoga sessions; food, drink, and other vendors; a bounce house; a dunk tank; a rock-climbing wall; face-painting; a tug-of-war competition; and musical performances from local entertainers Ten Most Wanted, A-Blast, Andy the Music Man, and Bethlehem Traditional Irish Dance.

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy, in a release announcing the event, called it an opportunity to promote health, “to support our local businesses, and to bring the community together for some family fun.” 

Registration for the Barn to Bridge Fall Fest 5K is online.

Albany County businesses that would like to be at the festival as vendors or simply to table to raise awareness and connect with potential customers may call the Albany County Parks and Recreation Department at 518-655-7948. Aside from local businesses being showcased at Fall Fest, Albany County’s various departments and agencies will also be tabling at the event to help residents learn about county government programs and services.