As the recent shift in weather demonstrates, fall has arrived and the Niles Homeschool Partnership is spreading the seasonal cheer with its inaugural Fall Festival this week at Westside School — a first of its kind event for homeschool students.

Homeschool Partnership students, their families, instructors and invited guests took part in a wide variety of fall-themed fun throughout the two-day celebration, which began Wednesday and ends today.

Gail Bliss, Niles’ home school coordinator, said approximately 50 children attended Wednesday’s event.

There are around 200 students currently taking advantage of the Niles Homeschool Partnership, which offers resources, guidance and educational opportunities for homeschoolers.

The event featured volunteers from several organizations, including the Niles District Library, Cassopolis District Library, Michigan Gem and Mineral Society, Notre Dame Compton Center and Ethos Science Mobile Lab.

Students had the opportunity to learn archery (with non-lethal foam tipped arrows), play a wide variety of games, jump around a bounce house, visit the Westside Community Garden and much more.