Grub Glow

Unofficial guide. Not affiliated with the West Side Nut Club.

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October 5-10, 2026

Fall Festival answers

Parking, rides, parades and the Half Pot, each with where the answer came from. If a source does not say, neither do we.

When is the 2026 Fall Festival?
The 105th West Side Nut Club Fall Festival runs Monday, October 5, through Saturday, October 10, 2026, on West Franklin Street in Evansville. Family Day comes first, on Sunday, October 4, from 1 to 7 PM, on the Kiddie Midway only. Source: the West Side Nut Club schedule page, read Sept. 29, 2026.
How many people go?
The West Side Nut Club says the festival attracts over 200,000 people. That is the club's own figure, not a count anyone publishes. Source: the West Side Nut Club home page, read Sept. 29, 2026.
Where do I park?
The club's official FAQ says there is free parking on the surrounding streets where you can find it, and paid lots closer to Franklin Street. It also says there are no dedicated handicap parking areas at this time. The club does not publish a parking map or a list of lots. Source: the West Side Nut Club FAQ, read Sept. 29, 2026.
Is there a shuttle?
Not announced yet. As of September 29, 2026, the club had not announced a 2026 shuttle on its site. Whether one will run is unknown. Source: the West Side Nut Club site, checked Sept. 29, 2026.
How much are ride wristbands?
All-you-can-ride wristband vouchers are $25 each plus a $2.99 fee per order on presale, through midnight Sunday, October 4. After that they cost $30. There are no wristbands on Family Day. Source: 14 News, Sept. 28, 2026, and the club's Facebook page.
What time do the rides open?
All rides run Monday through Wednesday 2 to 10 PM, Thursday 2 to 10:30 PM, Friday 11 AM to 10:30 PM, and Saturday 10 AM to 10:30 PM. Kiddie rides open at noon on Wednesday and Thursday. Source: the West Side Nut Club schedule page, read Sept. 29, 2026.
What time are the parades?
The Lighthouse Parade is Monday, October 5, at 7 PM. The Pet Parade is Saturday, October 10, at 10 AM. The Main Parade is Saturday, October 10. The club's schedule page lists it at 4:30 PM, but as of September 29 the club's Facebook page had not posted a time, and no route has been posted anywhere we checked. Source: the West Side Nut Club schedule page, read Sept. 29, 2026.
When can I buy Half Pot tickets?
Sales start Wednesday, September 30. Online sales open at 12:01 AM, and you must be physically in Indiana to buy online. The drive-thru presale runs September 30 to October 4, noon to 6 PM each day, at the Mead Johnson parking lot. Tickets for the $25,000 Early Bird prize must be bought before 7 PM Monday, October 5, and that drawing is at 8 PM that night. During the festival, Half Pot booths on Franklin Street sell from 10 AM to 9 PM Monday through Wednesday, 10 AM to 10 PM Thursday and Friday, and 10 AM to 8 PM Saturday. Source: the West Side Nut Club Facebook page, read Sept. 29, 2026.
What hours are the food booths open?
Unknown. The club does not publish food booth hours. Source: the West Side Nut Club schedule page, read Sept. 29, 2026.
Where are the full menus?
In the Nut Club's official Munchie Map app, which is free. Grub Glow is an unofficial guide: it lists foods by category and booth number, and works with no signal. Source: Courier & Press, Sept. 15, 2026.