Special weekends a Main Street specialty

Junktique was an incredible weekend of family fun and when the thank you list was assembled, it was apparent that it was an event that involved a great many volunteers of every age.

The feedback was exceptional this year, and we were all very pleased with the kickoff Junktique Jog and Western Walk. This was the brainchild of Jincy and Jeremy Ross, and it was a tremendous way to begin the Junktique and start a new tradition event.

Many of those attending had returned home for the Mitchell County Reunion, and they had mentioned last year that they wished that the Junktique was the same weekend. This year, it was and I saw many of those people in attendance.

Our banners were up, and the town looked the very best possible. The Junktique banners have since been replaced with the Community Pride banners, and they add so much to the streetscape. Main Street’s 501 3(c) purchased those banners as well as awarded façade and sign grants for businesses. The money that is earned from Junktique is utilized for the banners and grants, and it has made a huge difference in our downtown.

Our board works very hard to give back to our historic downtown, and the entire county benefits from the events. Because of the Junktique, people purchased gas, booked motel rooms and spent money with our merchants, and this is a prominent example of economic development.

Also, Westbrook and Loraine were represented in our vendors, and we appreciate those people very much. Our city is on the upswing, and hopefully, you had a chance to shop our established merchants, as well as three new businesses that opened the weekend of Junktique.

Saturday of this week, Main Street is supporting a merchant event called Witch's Night Out. Many of the merchants will be open Saturday night, and Main Street will sponsor a Pumpkin Decorating Contest in several categories. Please bring your decorated pumpkin to Friendly Park at 5 p.m. for judging. Winners will be announced at 7 p.m. We encourage all ages to participate in this fun and creative event. Your pumpkin can be funny, fancy, scary or elegant. Put your imagination to work and create a masterpiece to win a special prize.

The 3m Palace will feature a $1 movie from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday as well. We appreciate Marcus and Bea for giving us a first class movie theater in our downtown.

The Main Event will be open for your opportunity to shop. Flavaz and Dandy’s Diner will be open, so make plans to shop, eat, enter the pumpkin contest and attend a movie on Saturday, October 17.

For more information, call me at 325-242-0206.