Autumn has arrived and that means two important things for North Andover foodies.

Fall Festival and Restaurant Week are nearing!

On Saturday, Sept. 22, the North Andover Merchants Association will be holding its second annual Fall Festival. 

The event will be held on the grounds of the Knights of Columbus at 505 Sutton Street from 11am to 5pm. 

Over 40 North Andover businesses participated last year, and even more are expected this year. This family day will feature live entertainment, a beer tent, a bon fire, and some of North Andover’s best food.

Among the participants is Stachey’s Pizza, which will once again donate its proceeds from the event to the North Andover Santa Parade fund.

Dave Holland of Stachey’s spoke with Patch about the upcoming events and the North Andover Merchants Association.

“You meet a lot of new people, new faces, and become friends with everyone,” he said of NAMA.

“People want to come in and support the business just like you want to go and support what they do,” he continued.

Just a few of the other business participating in the festival include Mad Maggie’s, Pipe Dream Cupcakes, and Boston Chowda.

Check out Tracey Zysk’s Patch blog for more information on the 2012 Fall Festival.

Restaurant Week, which begins on Sept. 23, features great deals at many North Andover restaurants such as Jaime’s, Buono Bistro, and The Loft.

Stachey’s will have a special deal that will run through Sept. 29.

“For restaurant week, we’re doing a deal that’s a large cheese pizza, two tossed salads, and two drinks, including beer and wine, for dine-in,” said Holland.

That incredible combination will cost you only $12.99.

As far as Dave’s favorite pizza on the menu, “I’d have to go with the white pizza,” he said.

“Our specialty pizzas are very, very good,” he continued. “Our most popular pizza is definitely cheese and pepperoni.”

Stachey’s is a 2012 Readers’ Choice Winner for best pizza. And owner Terry Holland was chosen as Unofficial Mayor this year.

For more information on North Andover’s Restaurant Week, you can once again have a look at Tracey Zysk’s blog or go straight to the NAMA website.

A full restaurant week brochure has been published. You can use it as your road map to taste bud bliss.

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Are you going to the Fall Festival? Tell us in the comments!

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Check out this column next week for more information on North Andover Restaurant Week 2012.

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Do you own or manage a restaurant? Would you like to see it featured in this column?

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