Fall Fest event planned for Oct. 8

Temperatures are cooling down, and leaves are beginning to turn, which can only mean one thing - Fall Fest is right around the corner!

The Historic Downtown Dexter Fall Fest is slated for Saturday, Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. in downtown Dexter.

Stoddard Street will be closed off downtown for this annual event, and vendors and guests will line the downtown area.

"There will be crafters, food vendors and information booths, a pottery display, and so much more," promised organizer Donna West.

A pumpkin decorating contest will be one of the highlights of the festival. The pumpkins will be judged by local merchants and will be on display at Stoddard and Locust Street. All ages are invited to enter the contest at no charge.

A quilt exhibition will be on display at the O.A.K.S. Senior Center, with the Evans Pottery on display at the refurbished Depot Welcome Center.

Live music will be provided at Stoddard and Walnut Streets downtown from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. during the Fall Fest activities, and there will be a Chili Cook-Off at the same location.

A pie eating contest will also be held at the Stoddard and Walnut intersection, as well as the Fall Fest Pageant. Applications for the pageant, which will include newborns through 13 years of age, is available online at http://www.dailystatesman.com/fallfestpageant . Registration deadline for the pageant is Friday, Oct. 7. Further information regarding the pageant may be obtained by contacting Donna Keirsey at 421-6354 or Leslie Sandage at 421-0916. The pageant will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8.

Rainbow inflatables will once again be available at Fall Fest for children and a Chicken Scratch for quarters is slated for 3:30 p.m. at Locust and Stoddard Streets for children preschool through fifth grade.

Additional information about the Fall Fest Oct. 8 may be obtained by calling 624-5141, 624-3032 or 624-7458.