DOWAGIAC — This October, families can celebrate Michigan’s autumn and enjoy a glimpse of true Americana, as Under the Harvest Moon returns to downtown Dowagiac on Saturday, Oct. 13.

Vickie Phillipson, program director for the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, said she is pleased to announce corporate and in-kind sponsors of this year’s event include: 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 of Michigan, Preferred Printing, Skibbe Business & Tax Service, Smoke Vision Care, Southwestern Michigan College, Town & Country Garden Club and William’s A-1 Expert Tree Service.

At the heart of the event will be a display of new and vintage farm tractors, an open-air marketplace of antiques, fall produce, Michigan handmade products and sweet delicacies, as well as street entertainment and family activities.

Phillipson said in anticipation of the event the central business district will be decked out in autumn colors.  Funded by the Downtown Development Authority’s Farm and Artisan Market, hardy mums will be purchased and planted in the streetscape containers by members of Town and Country Garden Club.

An assembly of scarecrows is also expected to take place downtown, as the public and business owners are encouraged to enter the scarecrow contest. Phillipson said Leader Publications will again offer a $200 complimentary ad to the winner of the business division.

To enter the contest, order cornstalks for decoration, register for a commercial booth in the open-air marketplace or obtain a full schedule of events, call the Chamber of Commerce at (269) 782-8212.

Deadline to enter the scarecrow contest is Sept. 26 for businesses and Oct. 9 for the public.