Working artisans at Under the Harvest Moon Festival in downtown Dowagiac on Saturday, Oct. 14, will demonstrate fine wood burning, wood carving, wool spinning and crafting decorative fall pieces.

Hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, the fall festival opens at 10 a.m. and brings together collectors of antique farm tractors, and a marketplace of Michigan-grown produce, autumn mums, handmade products and antiques.

Vickie Phillipson, event chairman and program director of the Chamber of Commerce & DDA, said she is pleased to welcome artisan June Grabemeyer, who will provide a spinning wheel demonstration at the Dowagiac Area History Museum from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. A tractor-drawn wagon will take visitors to and from the museum.

Festival organizers also to welcome award-winning ice carver ice carver Mike Evans of Edwardsburg. Evans, who has appeared numerous times at this community’s Ice Time Festival, will present a wood carving exhibition outside Saylor’s Front Street Pizzeria from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From Dowagiac, wood burning artist Larry Collins, who began drawing at the age of 9, will have pieces of his art for sale. At 22, Collins became interested in wood burning and has since incorporated many of these pieces into other art forms such as note cards, limited edition prints and screen printing.

At Rosy Tomorrows from noon to 3 p.m. Decatur resident Jennifer Valentine, of Sacred Cake, will present a hands-on class, making decorative fall candle holders. Participants will pay a nominal fee for supplies.

Entertainment features music by the Van Dyke Revue at the Beckwith Park, along with guitarist and vocalist Rene Meave, plus performances by MKSOD and Positively Dance, and a cardio drumming street class by Cass County COA.

Phillipson said she is pleased to welcome the owners of 20 to 30 vintage farm tractors who will display their units on Front Street, along with more than 40 commercial and community exhibitors from southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana, who will be selling antiques, hand-crafted wares and fall produce.

Festival goers will enjoy Cass County’s best pulled-pork sandwiches, chicken and brats, grilled over an open flame by Smokin’ Good BBQ of Cassopolis, Hubbert’s kettle corn and Fred Krause elephant ears, plus steaming hot chili served by DASAS. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy Caruso Candy Kitchen’s apple and cider bar, and cinnamon ice cream topped with warm apples.

The Taste of Michigan Wine & Craft Brew will be hosted by The Wounded Minnow Saloon on its outdoor patio.  The restaurant will also feature acorn squash and four other seasonal soups and is sponsoring the Corn Hole Tournament.

“Families will also enjoy pumpkin decorating hosted by MKSOD, and several take home craft events sponsored by the Dowagiac District Library, Rosy Tomorrows and Who Knew? Consignment.”

Children will enjoy music, photos and games with Miss Dowagiac Madison Phelps, a Candy Corn Spoon Race hosted by Accounting Consultants and Parade of Halloween Hounds hosted by Bow Wow Bakery & Bath.  There will also be children’s inflatables hosted by Colby Event Services and the Smoke House, sponsored by the Dowagiac Fire Department.

Hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, the fall event, which is celebrating its seventh season, has been underwritten by 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 schedule of activities or to register for commercial booth space, visit DowagiacChamber.com, its Facebook page or call (269) 782-8212.