For the past seven years, the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce has hosted a classic fall open-air market to welcome hundreds of visitors to the community, lured by vendors of a broad array of items, and their counting down the days to the 8th Annual Under the Harvest Moon event right now.
The good news for vendors and potential vendors who would like to have their services and wares on display at this event, the chamber says the deadline has been extended until October 6th for vendor sign ups ahead of the open-air marketplace which is coming on Saturday, October 13th.
Hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, the festival, now in its eighth year, celebrates Michigan’s glorious autumn, as day visitors enjoy a glimpse of true Americana throughout the outdoor marketplace.
Vendors of handmade products, antiques and collectibles, along with fall produce and baked goods are invited to appear at the open-air marketplace, which runs from 10 am to 4 pm on Front Street in the central business district of downtown Dowagiac.
At the heart of the event will be a display of vintage farm tractors, an open-air marketplace of antiques, fall produce, Michigan handmade products and sweet delicacies, as well as street entertainment and family events.
Vickie Phillipson, program director for the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority (DDA), is coordinating the one-day festival.
Owners of vintage farm tractors and commercial vendors who would like to participate in the festival, can make arrangements to do so by calling the Chamber at 269-782-8212 or by e-mail at vphillipson@Dowagiac.org. They can also visit DowagiacChamber.com for registration information. Sidewalk booth rental for vendors selling merchandise is just $20 for a 12-foot space.
She says owners of vintage farm equipment are invited to place their tractors on display free of charge, however, for planning purposes they are asked to register in advance with the Chamber.
In addition to the display of vintage farm tractors and the outdoor marketplace, festival events will include:
- A caramel apple & cider bar
- Horse-drawn wagon rides
- Cornhole tournament
- Children’s games
- Farm animal displays
- Entertainment throughout the day
Residents and businesses can also enter the Scarecrow Contest that will award a Universal Dowagiac Gift Certificate to the winning scarecrow in the public division and $200 of complimentary advertising in Leader Publications for the winner of the business division. The contest is open to businesses and the public free of charge.
This year’s event has been underwritten by the following business enterprises:
- 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
- William’s A-1 Expert Tree Service
For more information you can call the Chamber of Commerce at 269-782-8212.
In the photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market, provided courtesy of the Dowagiac Chamber is Michelle Stambaugh, owner of Mud-Luscious, demonstrating the art of pottery at a recent open-air market. This year, festival goers can sign up for a class to decoupage a papier-mache’ pumpkin with vintage papers, inks & paints at her Front Street studio.
