SPRINGFIELD — After a 2020 hiatus caused by COVID-19, the Springfield Fall Festival is set to return bigger, better and different.

Slated Nov. 13 from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., the 2021 version of the family-friendly event will feature more vendors than ever before.

“And a lot of the vendors will be local ones,” Springfield Community Development Director Erin Phillips said. “We have a lot of new businesses and some of them will set up booths. A major reason for having the festival is to give Springfield a chance to show what it has to offer.”

The vendors will set up shop on Laurel and Cleveland streets.

“They’ll be extending further down the street than ever before,” Phillips said.

Another change is the location of the stage for entertainers. It will be positioned between the Mars Theatre and City Hall instead of in front of City Hall on Laurel Street.

Festival organizers will make the stage available for local entertainers from noon-4 p.m.

“We have a couple people already lined up,” Phillips said. “If anyone else is interested, just let us know.”

The featured musicians will be Clayton Hackle, Luke Lander and Tim Dugger. They are set to perform at 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.

“In the past, we have featured country music, which we think is good for us,” Phillips said. “The past entertainers were already stars but this year’s talent is up and coming. They might not be big now but they might be one day.

“They will sing cover songs and some of their own music.”

Other festival activities include a 4 p.m. wing-eating contest.

“We will also have inflatables for children,” Phillips said. “We will have things for teenagers and adults to do as well.”