Families that take their children to Under the Harvest Moon on Saturday, Oct. 8, in downtown Dowagiac will make their festival experience even more rewarding.

This community’s autumn celebration, which features a display of vintage farm tractors and an outdoor marketplace of more than 40 vendors of handmade goods, produce and baked goods, offers a full day of fun for families.

Event Chairman Vickie Phillipson, program director of the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority (DDA), said the festival site, itself, is designed to be family-friendly.  “Front Street will be closed to motorists, as we place activities right on the street,” Phillipson said.  “As a result, festival goers will be able to freely enjoy the day’s activities, with little worry as they cross from one side of the street to the other.”

While Front Street will be closed, she said all downtown parking lots will remain open.

Throughout the day, families will enjoy a variety of activities, from Judd Lumber’s children’s inflatables to face painting, pumpkin decorating and a pumpkin pie-eating contest.  The Miss Dowagiac Scholarship Pageant is also hosting autumn games, a photo booth and music by Miss Dowagiac Anne Zebell.

“We’re excited to have MKSOD partner with the festival to again host the children’s pumpkin decorating workshop, which runs throughout the event,” Phillipson said.  “Since the onset of the autumn celebration, the dance studio has sponsored the activity and will again provide pumpkins and decorating supplies for the first 150 children, up to sixth grade.”

Children can make and take home a Star Wars’ craft, when they visit the outdoor booth of the Dowagiac District Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Kids’ crafts will also be hosted at Who Knew? Consignment until 3 p.m.

Throughout the event, families can take the horse-drawn shuttle to the Dowagiac Area History Museum, where there will be demonstrations and hands-on activities.  On Commercial Street, families can also tour the Dowagiac Fire Department’s Smoke House.

As day-visitors await the Parade of Halloween Hounds at 11 a.m., sponsored by Bow Wow Bakery & Bath, children can sign up at the Beckwith Park for the second-annual pumpkin pie eating contest, which kicks off at 11:30 a.m.  The event is open to the first six children, who sign in.

Phillipson said day-visitors who work up an appetite are sure to enjoy Smokin’ Good’s pulled pork sandwiches, grilled chicken, ribs and brats; Hubbert’s sweet kettle corn; and the Caramel Apple & Cider Bar, presented by Caruso’s Candy Kitchen.

At Beckwith Park, families will enjoy music presented throughout the day by the Van Dyke Revue and street musician Rene Meave, as students of MKSOD present a dance exhibition on Front Street, from noon to 1 p.m.

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.

For a full list of activities, to register for commercial booth space visit DowagiacChamber.com, its Facebook page or call the Chamber at (269) 782-8212.