Downtown Harvest Moon Fest planned

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The last weekend of October will bring the 2nd Annual Harvest Moon Festival to Historic Downtown Van Wert. A combination of events will make for a fantastic weekend of family fun that you won’t want to miss! Kicking off the weekend will be Main Street’s first Carved Pumpkin Contest. If you think you have pumpkin carving skills, bring your already-carved pumpkin to the Main Street Van Wert Office during the day on Friday, October 28th where it will be on display through the Halloween weekend. Entries must be received no later than 6 pm on Friday, October 28th. Pumpkin judging will be held Friday evening with different categories for age and skill level. Winning pumpkins will be highlighted for all to see during the events on Saturday, October 29th.

Beginning October 28th, visitors to Van Wert will find great bargains all weekend long as many participating downtown businesses roll out Harvest Moon Festival sales. Downtown restaurants will be selling fall themed treats and drinks. From 4:00pm to 7:00pm, a Main Street Open Market is being planned where you can purchase locally grown or baked foods. All ages will be able to participate in ‘The Great Pumpkin Hunt’ – a scavenger hunt through the Historic Downtown. Be sure to meet ‘The Settler,’ a ghostly historian who will haunt listeners with chilling tales of Van Wert County’s past at the Garden of the Senses on Main Street where you can warm up with hot cocoa or apple cider. Friday night, Buckeye Y Youth will hold their Autumn Adventure Sleepover at the Van Wert Fairgrounds beginning at 8:00pm. For sleepover cost and information, call Buckeye Y Youth at  419-238-3546.

Saturday, October 29th, will begin with a brisk walk or run in the 2nd Annual 5K Trick-or-Trot. Registration begins at 7:30am, with the run at 9:00am sharp. The route begins and ends in front of the County Courthouse. Costumed attire highly encouraged! Registration forms can be picked up at the Main Street Van Wert Office. After the run, children will want to visit the downtown businesses from 9:30 to 11am for Trick-or Treating, try their hand at Pumpkin Bowling, and stop by McCoy’s Flowers and Diamonds to paint a pumpkin to take home. Those interested in learning how to arrange a fall bouquet or centerpiece should register for the Fall Arrangement Workshop Saturday at Fettig’s Flowers. When downtown activities are over, visit the Van Wert County Fairgrounds for the Annual Fall Fright Fest with many Halloween games and activities.

For more information on any events, contact Main Street Van Wert at  419-238-6911 or e-mail vwdowntown@embarqmail.com.  You can pick up registration forms for the Carved Pumpkin Contest, 5K Trick-or-Trot, the Fall Arrangement Workshop, and the Main Street Open Market at the Main Street Van Wert Office located at 136 East Main Street. Check out Main Street Van Wert on Facebook for more information, a full schedule of events, and a list of participating businesses.