News Updates for Sept. 14 -- Scarecrow Fest and more!

The annual Scarecrow Festival presented by Hicks Insurance on Sept. 29 is just around the corner and this year's event is proving to be the biggest one yet! New this year is the Raminator Monster Truck sponsored by Ken Nelson Auto. Rides will be given on the truck, and tickets are $5 in advance at Ken Nelson. Also new this year is the United Way will be hosting their Kick-Off Party during Scarecrow Festival at Town Square Center parking lot. Of course, back again is the Doggy Zoo, the Pumpkin Patch and Pumpkin Painting, tons of kids activities, great shopping in our downtown shops and tons of food! This year since the festival is bigger we have expanded the hours to go from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.!! We hope to see all of you there!

We're recruiting future DMS Board Members and Volunteers!

Are you interested in being a part of Dixon Main Street? Then email Josh as mainst@grics.net to learn about how you can get more involved!

Musical Fridays Presented by Community State Bank

Join us every Friday at Noon on the Riverfront from June - September. The full schedule is on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dixonmainstreet. This is the first year we have held Musical Fridays in September!

Now on to the DMS Events and Updates ...

Sept. 19 -- Lunch and Learn at the Post House Ballroom at Noon. Sponsored by KSB Hospital. This month's program will be a recap of the Mumford & Sons event. Lunch by Alley Loop.

Sept. 23 -- See Justin the Horse That Paints during a block party on First Street on Sunday, Sept. 23 from 2- 8 p.m. See Justin create his original art, listen to live music, get a bite to eat and have a good time. Sponsored by Next Picture Show, City of Dixon and Dixon Main Street.

Sept. 29 -- The Annual Scarecrow Festival in downtown Dixon from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. including the Doggy Zoo, Pumpkin Painting, crafts, games, food vendors, craft booths, the Great Pumpkin Patch, Chalk the Walk and so much more! This year, the United Way is hosting their Kick-Off Party at Town Square Center starting at Noon. Get all the details at www.dixonmainstreet.com.

Oct. 2 -- Shop Talk at Books on First at 5 p.m. A great chance for local merchants to get together and talk about issues and news.

Oct. 27 -- Monster Pancakes at the Post House Ballroom from 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Followed by the Lions Club Halloween Parade.

Oct. 28 -- Ultimate Tailgate at the Beanblossom from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.! Enter your chili, salsa, or bbq in this great downtown fall tradition. Cash prizes! Also, compete in the bags tournament or the Armchair Quarterback Challenge. Family friendly!  Email mainst@grics.net for details or to register. Admission is $3.

Nov. 30 -- Christmas Walk! Details soon.

A few quick notes from around the community. . .

Sept. 15 -- Chili Fest at Distinctive Gardens. Donations go to Second Saturdays!

Sept. 15 -- Volunteers are getting together to do a "clean-up sweep" of historic Lowell Park of the debris left by this summer's wind storms.  Meet at the Nature Center in Lowell Park at 8 am, Sat., Sept. 15, and work until Noon.  Dress appropriately for the woods.

Oct. 6 -- Dixon Sister Cities annual Oktoberfest celebration at the VFW in Dixon from 6 p.m. - ? Admission is just $6.

Oct. 13 -- "Save the Boobies" breast cancer pub crawl at First Street Pub is  Saturday, October 13 from 3pm to 7pm. Stop in at First Street Pub for more information. Proceeds from this fundraiser stay in Lee County.

Farmer's Market -- The Dixon Park District hosts its Farmer's Market every Wednesday and Saturdays 7 a.m. -- Noon at Haymarket Square at the corner of  Highland Ave and Second Street.