Along with cooler temperatures and pumpkin-flavored foods and drinks subtly popping up everywhere, there is another indicator that autumn is indeed on its way — Destination East Point.

The event is hosted each year by the East Point Main Street Association.

The fall celebration has two components: a fall carnival that begins on Oct. 2 and runs through Oct. 7 and a fall festival on Oct. 6, from 1 to 7 p.m.

Both components will be held at 2757 Main Street in East Point.

Brian Frey, president of the association, said the event began as something entirely different.

“The celebration began as Tour De 29: A Festival of Cities,” he said. “Fulton County had a lot to do with that. What we’ve done is turned it more into a fall celebration that revolves around the community and celebrating community.”

Fall festival activities will include food vendors, a kids zone, exhibitors selling various items and a community row, with representation from nonprofit organizations in the community.

Community favorites such as the chili cook-off, pie baking contest and pumpkin carving contest also will take place this year at the festival.

A gospel showcase in conjunction with Crown Life Baptist Church and a performance from the Imperial Opa circus are new additions to the festival.

Additionally, there are some unconventional events also planned for the festival, one involving chicken.

“We will have a pooch parade and chicken strut,” said Frey. “We have so many people in East Point who raise chickens so we are asking them to bring their chickens and have them judged.”

The formula for community, arts and food has proven to be a success in terms of attendance.

Frey said that “between 5,000 to 10,000” have attended the festival in years past and they hope to grow that number this year.

“It’s just going to be a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s a great time for people to come down and share in the community of the city, especially during the fall.”