Annual street fair on horizon

By CHARLES W. JOHNSON / News Editor for the Southern Standard

Leadership Warren’s Jackie Smith, left, and Cheryl Kelley model a couple T-shirts, featuring local artist John Jackson’s artwork, which are being sold to benefit the 9th annual Autumn Street Fair. (Charles W. Johnson photo)

As the air begins to take on the chilly feel of fall, Leadership Warren is getting ready to present one of the premier events of the fall season, the 9th annual Autumn Street Fair.

This year’s event will take place Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Court Square in McMinnville. As always, there will be live entertainment, children’s activities, crafts, food and much more.

“It’s a way to bring our community together,” said Leadership Warren’s Jackie Smith, “and to bring people downtown too.”

The Autumn Street Fair also coincides with the 5th annual Walk for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer research. Registration for that event will begin at 8 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, with the walk itself beginning at 9 a.m.

In addition to all the other activities, Smith said there will be some special entertainment geared toward the kids.

“The Bigfoot truck that comes, the children really like that,” she said. “That will be up there. There will be bucket trucks, just a lot of things.”

This year’s program will utilize a new feature of the downtown area, according to Smith.

“This year it will be unique because we’re going to have it in front of the new Chamber building,” she said. “They have that big platform and they want to use that platform as the stage. In years past, they always had it up on big flatbed trucks.”

Paula’s Dance Academy is going to perform, along with the Pioneerettes and the high school cheerleaders. Any other groups who would like to perform should contact the Chamber at 473-6611.

The Chamber is also selling T-shirts and prints by local artist John Jackson who has done beautiful renderings of local landmarks. The prints are signed and numbered and go for $15 each.

T-shirts featuring Jackson’s art are $12 for short sleeve versions up to extra large size, with 2-XLs selling for $13.50. Long sleeve versions are $15 up to extra large and 2-XLs for $16.50. The shirts and prints can be purchased by contacting the Chamber, and proceeds will go to the Autumn Street Fair and related projects.

For more information on the Autumn Street Fair, to schedule a performance by your group, or to get applications for vendor booths, contact the McMinnville/Warren County Chamber of Commerce at 473-6611.