Residents and tourists alike can expect a special type of foot traffic to be located throughout Historic Downtown Elizabethton in the coming weeks.
The Elizabethton Downtown Business Association (DBA) held their regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, Oct. 6, at the Coffee Company to provide an update on the 2016 Elizabethton Downtown Business Association Scarecrow Contest. The event is open to the public and free of charge.
“We’re extending the deadline,” said Cathy Shoun, with the Dressing Room and DBA president. “We’ve been doing this contest for three years and it’s always exciting to see the scarecrows placed through downtown.”
Shoun added that interested participants have until the end of next week to fill out an application and have a scarecrow placed in downtown.
The rules for contest are simple for any individual or groups. Displays must remain up through downtown until Thursday, Nov. 3, and be removed no later than Sunday, Nov. 6. To be judged, displays must be in downtown Elizabethton on Elk Avenue. Displays must be placed between column and street and may not extend any closer than one foot from the street. Entries on Elk Street must be located on a column.
Downtown business owners may reserve a column in front of their business by tying a ribbon around the column. To go along with the display and 8 ½ x 11 inch sign with the title of the display and entrant’s name must be placed within the display.
The DBA also asks to not damage, deface or mark any column with a display.
Shoun added that participants are encouraged to be creative with their display. The scarecrows must be durable and able to stand up in rain or sunny weather and are encouraged to be designed depicting an individual’s favorite fairytale, storybook, animal or fantasy figure.
Participants will also have a chance to receive a grand prize of $100, Shoun added. Second place will earn a cash prize of $75 while third place is totaled at $50.
Applications for the event will be featured in upcoming edition of the Elizabethton Star or can be picked up from the Dressing Room. Shoun encourages any interested individual to either stop by the business or call 423-542-3080.
“It’s always a great event,” Shoun said. “Usually during the after-school hours, you’ll see children and their families come through downtown and see the different scarecrows, sometimes even taking photos. This is one of the events we like to do to encourage the community to come together and have fun while supporting the downtown businesses.”
Historic Downtown Elizabethton will be bustling during the fall months, as mentioned during Thursday’s meeting.
“It’s a very exciting time,” Shoun said, mentioning the recent addition of businesses to the area.
Sugar Love Cafe & Bakery recently opened up inside the Bonnie Kate building while Blue River Studio recently opened their doors in the area. Along with the new addition, currently establishments have also seen changes. Brumit Sports Shop was recently purchased and now operated by Lori Wilson while the ever-popular eatery Tweetsie Treats changed their named to Sweetsie Treats.
“Everybody has been so enthusiastic on working together,” Shoun said. “We’ve been working on our Downtown Business Christmas Open House and partnering with the Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming parade.”
One of the more exciting additions, Shoun said, was the addition of tables and trees at the breezeway next to Sweetsie Treats to help beautify the area.
The list of upcoming events include downtown trick-or-treating scheduled on Halloween – Monday, Oct. 31, 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To keep up with spooky atmosphere, the Front Porch Storytellers’ Historic Ghost Walks of Elizabethton will continue throughout the month. The dates for the remaining tours includes Thursday, Oct. 13, Friday, Oct. 14, Thursday, Oct. 20 and Friday, Oct. 28. The tours begin at 7:30 p.m. each night with individuals meeting at Sugar Love Bakery & Cafe. Shoun said the tours last for 90 minutes and allow attendees to hear the various spooky tales of the area. The cost to participate is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors 60 years and old, $10 for veterans and children 17 years old and younger. Groups of 10 or more in a single party can participate for $10 per person.
Reservations for the walks can be made by calling 423-542-9360.