Teams are being sought for Dowagiac’s Amazing Race, which has joined the line-up of Under the Harvest Moon that returns to downtown Dowagiac on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Race co-chairman Joe Silvia said the competition was moved from July to the fall festival line-up, when temperatures are cooler for teams to compete.  Silvia, who is a member of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and manager of the Dowagiac branch of Chemical Bank, is heading up the race with Dean Orvis, director of the Pokagon Band Fitness Center.

The autumn celebration is built around a display of new and vintage farm tractors and an outdoor marketplace of handmade goods, produce and baked goods, and offers a full day of fun and entertainment for families organizers said.

Festival goers will also enjoy wood carving demos, music by the Van Dyke Revue and Rene Meave, performances by MKSOD and Positively Dance, plus interactive cardio drumming demos by Cass County Council on Aging.  There will also be festival foods, such as Smokin’ Good barbecue and elephant ears.

Organizers of the Amazing Race are looking to sign up 20 four-member teams.

“Participants will race in and around the community, moving from pit stop to pit stop, performing tasks involving brain and physical skills,” Silvia said. “Some tasks may tap your creativity, while others will require you to be resourceful, but all are meant to be fun. Teams will race against the clock and each other.

“A shotgun-type start kicks things off, as each team is given its first clue to various pit stops. Some clues are direct, while others may need to be solved before moving on. Activities may include all contestants, while others may need only two from the team. Contestants on each team will take turns completing the assigned activities.”

Businesses and community organizations may sign up for the Amazing Race by calling Silvia at (269) 782-2337.

People who would like to place their vintage farm tractor on display or reserve commercial booth space at the festival may do so by calling Vickie Phillipson, Chamber of Commerce program director and festival chairman at (269) 782-8212 or by email at vphillipson@Dowagiac.org.

Corporate sponsors of the festival are: Creative Vinyl Signs, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Kim MacGregor’s office of Edward Jones, Forest Glen Assisted Living, Hale’s Hardware, J&H Oil Company, Leader Publications, Mennel Milling Co. of Michigan, Preferred Printing, Skibbe Business & Tax Service, Smoke Vision Care, Southwestern Michigan College, Town & Country Garden Club and Williams A-1 Expert Tree Service.