As soon as the trees start to turn, and the smell of camp fires float through the air, the people of Woonsocket anxiously await the month of October.

Autumnfest has become the building block for tradition in this great city. For the past 30 years, Autumnfest holds its annual celebration at World War II Memorial State Park every Columbus Day weekend, with everything from face painting to local shop booths and, of course, the stage where local and traveling bands and performances keep the crowd entertained. 

Once a picturesque jewel of a park, the space is now in disrepair. Beautiful fall foliage may still provide a feast for the eyes, but the cobblestone walkways are unkempt, and the beach and pond are dry and overgrown.