SHELBYVILLE, IL. — Shelbyville’s annual fall event is returning to the downtown area this year.

Scarecrow Daze originally was set downtown with vendors and activities filling the area. Eventually many of the activities were moved to Forest Park with a few events remaining downtown.

“The downtown merchants missed it (Scarecrow Daze) when it moved to the park,” said Katie Harley, event organizer. “The park has been as excellent venue for the past few years, but it’s time to bring it back downtown,”

Scarecrow Daze will be held October 5-7 with events located both downtown and in Forest Park.

“We are returning to our roots as we plan the festival with the theme ‘Back to the Future’. The festival began 16 years ago int he downtown area. We are paying homage to that by once again holding the festival downtown,” Harley said. “It is a great way to promote all of the downtown merchants and gives a sense of community pride.”

In coordination with the Scarecrow Daze activities is the annual Hot Air Balloon Fest sponsored by Touchstone Energy.

“We are happy to be part of the Scarecrow Daze weekend again this year for the third annual Touchstone Energy Hot Air Balloon Fest at Lake Shelbyville," said coordinator of the balloon event, Kevin Bernson. “Mother Nature willing, this should be a great Scarecrow Daze weekend you don't want to miss and we hope people come from all over to see just what Shelbyville has to offer,” added Bernson.

Bernson said he expects 12 to 15 balloon, depending on the number of sponsors, for the event.

Balloon Fest events include a media launch will taking off at 5 p.m. at the soccer fields in Forest Park,  a balloon task flight at the soccer fields in Forest Park at sunrise Saturday and at the 9th Street beach on Sunday, and a cookout and balloon glow at the Spillway dam at dusk on Saturday.

Events Friday will be held in Forest Park and downtown. The Main Street Quilt Company Quilt Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m. the Knight of Columbus and Shelby County Senior Center will hold a fish fry at the Senior Center in Forest Park. The Shelby County Health Department will also offer flu shots at the Senior Center. Cost for the shots is $25. Medicare is accepted.

New this year is a pumpkin chucking contest at the soccer fields in Forest Park beginning at 5 p.m.

“Participants will use large slingshots to shoot small pumpkins at targets on the field,” Harley said. The contest is open to everyone.

Also new is a poker walk on the General Dacey Trail. This event is sponsored by Shelby Memorial Hospital Rehabilitative Services. This will also begin at 5 p.m.

Binga will be held from 5-8 p.m. in the Lions Club building

In keeping with the Scarecrow Daze theme, “Back to the Future” will be shown at the Roxy Theatre beginning at 9 p.m both Saturday and Sunday. The movie is sponsored by PWR-net Wireless Broadband Internet service. Admission is a donation toward the theatre’s digital upgrade project.

Downtown will offer the Festival of Cars Show at Main Street School, the Main Street Quilt Company quilt show at the Methodist Church, and Art Mart at the Park at the minipark, along with activities for all ages, vendors of all kinds, and live music by Thrashin’ Grass and Forest Parker band. Other competitions include a kiddie tractor pull at 11 a.m. and dog contest at 2 p.m.

The 10 a.m. parade will run a backwards route beginning in Forest Park, traveling south on Morgan Street to North First, and west to Main Street School where it will disperse.

A hot dog eating contest, sponsored by Fleenor’s Weiners, will be held at the Scarecrow Lounge in the Courthouse parking lot at 12 p.m. A beer-tasting event, sponsored by Legends Draft House, will be held from 5-8 p.m. also at the Scarecrow Lounge.

The popular adult scavenger hunt registration begins at 6 p.m. at the Scarecrow Lounge.

Sunday will feature a “History in Stone” walk at Glenwood Cemetery. The program is in cooperation with the US Army Corps of Engineers and Lake Volunteers Association.

For more info, check out our "Scarecrow Daze" page on facebook or these links:

www.scarecrowdaze.com

www.shelbyvillechamberofcommerce.com

www.shelbyelectric.coop

www.facebook.com/YourCoop

Scarecrow Display Contest Information

Scarecrows will be popping up all over town as residents, businesses, and organizations are invited to participate in the annual Scarecrow Display contest.

Entry forms may be picked up at the Shelbyville Chamber of Commerce and County Market.

Deadline for entries is 3 p.m. Friday, September 28. Judging will be held Sunday, September 30. Cash prizes will be awarded.

“The more participants, the more fun,” said Katie Harley, Scarecrow Daze organizer.