Flora streets to come alive during Moonlight Madness
By Jennifer Archibald Staff writer

Flora's Moonlight Madness promises fun for everyone, with contests, an art show, children's activities, live bands, food, and a car show.

The annual downtown event will be Oct. 6 from 4 to 10 p.m. It is sponsored by Flora Community Club and supported by local businesses. Many of the businesses will be open extended hours and will offer special sales and door prizes.

This will be the second year for the scarecrow contest and chili cook-off.

The scarecrow contest is open to everyone who has an imagination and wants to create a unique scarecrow. It must be free-standing and no more than six feet tall. All entries should be taken to Holly's Hair Hut on West Main Street between 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Judging will be at 6 p.m. First place winner will receive $100, and second place winner will receive $50, both in the form of Shop Flora First gift certificates, redeemable at Flora businesses.

The chili cook-off, art show, and bingo will all be held in the former Center Street Grill building.

Judging for the chili cook-off will be in two categories - hot and mild. A $50 Shop Flora First gift certificate will be awarded for the best chili in each category. The prepared chili should be brought to the former Center Street Grill building by 5 p.m. on Saturday. Judging will be at 5:30. Only non-professionals may enter. Rules and entry forms are available at Stephan's IGA.

Local artists are invited to display their artwork at the Moonlight Madness art show. For more information, call Janice Johnson, 967-4414, or Alice Benson, 967-3928.

Bingo will be ongoing from 5 to 9 p.m., with just a small fee to play. Lots of prizes will be available.

Children's activities

The ever-popular hay dig will give kids a chance to dig for candy and coins. Children will be divided into four age groups: Three years and younger, 6 p.m.; four and fiveyear olds, 6:15; six and sevenyear olds, 6:30; and eight and nine-year-olds, 6:45. The hay dig is free. It will be held in the grassy area across the street from the Comet office.

Other children's activities, with a small fee charged, will include basketball toss, bean bag toss, hole-in-one, pumpkin pick, dart ball, and moon walk. These will be held in the post office parking lot.

Bands

Two bands will entertain from 5 to 9 p.m. On the Center Street stage will be country band Ramblin' Fever, with local members Scot Collins and Johnny Blake. Performing on West Main will be the rock band Kravin Kain, with CHS graduate Jeremy Smith as drummer.

The Idlers car club will have a cruise-in downtown from 4 to 9 p.m.

There will be plenty of food available, and people can sit at picnic tables set up on the street. There still may be a few spots left for food and craft vendors. Call Carolyn Augst, 967-0068.

Townwide garage sales will be held throughout the day.

Log Cabin Rendezvous

In conjunction with Moonlight Madness, the second annual Log Cabin Rendezvous will be held Oct. 5, 6, and 7 at Flora Community Park. A covered wagon has been donated for the event by Lenard Robison.

The furnished log cabin will be open for tours in the afternoon and evening on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. There is no admission charge.

For more information about the Rendezvous, call Stephen Siwinski, 574-967-3211.