55th Annual Fall Foliage Festival Underway in Clifton Forge By Jennifer Bailey Staff Writer   Clifton Forge, VA (Oct. 17, 2026)— The 55th Annual Fall Foliage Festival is well underway in Clifton Forge. Despite the dropping temperatures, the streets were crowded on Ridgeway, Main, Church, and Commercial when the Journal stopped by to capture many of the smiling faces. The purpose of the Fall Foliage Festival is twofold: to enjoy community fellowship and for the local Shrine Club—who host the festival—to raise money for Shriner's Hospital for Children, as well as the Shriner's transportation fund which aids young patients with traveling back and forth to appointments. As in years past, the line for the Shriner's Donuts was the longest, backing up across the parking lot from its typical spot and soaring past two storefronts. We can't say we blame the attendees. The tradition of the Fall Foliage Festival would be an incomplete one without a dozen of those warm donuts to take home. Numerous vendors were set up selling homemade trinkets, clothing, baked goods, jewelry, fresh food, and more. Meanwhile, the Rose Street parking lot was lined with several bouncy houses for the kids, making the Fall Foliage Festival a wonderful experience for the whole family. If you haven't made it down there, it will remain open until 6:00 p.m. today, then run tomorrow on its final day from 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. We highly recommend it!

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