Fall Festival announces information about events over Labor Day weekend

Pie contest and auction:

Bakers and buyers are needed for the annual pie baking contest and auction on Friday, Sept. 3, in the band shell in Central Park, Orion.

Cream and meringue pies are not allowed. Bakers should use alumnium pie tins, and free tins will be available at Orion IGA, Orion Mart and Casey’s General Store in Orion.

Registration and judging start at 4:30 p.m. Sept. 3. Pies received by 5:30 p.m. will be judged for first, second and third place, as well as Best of Show.

The auction will begin at 6:30 p.m. Stenzel Auction Service, Osco, will sell all pies. All proceeds go to the Orion Fall Festival Fund.

For more information, contact Vicky Diamond at vdiamond@ruhlcommercial.com or Carrie McCaw at (309) 526-8644.

Battle of the Bands:

Application forms for “Rock the Park—The Sequel” are now on the home page at www.mainstreetorion.org. The contest will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4, in the band shell in Central Park. Applications are due by Thursday, Aug. 5, at Main Street Orion, P.O. Box 693, Orion IL 61273.

The contest is open to non-professional bands only. Music must be suitable for all audiences. First place will receive $200 and second place, $100.

All bands must check in at 2:30 p.m. on the day of the show. Bands must be able to set up, play and tear down within a 30-minute time slot. Drums and a public address system will be provided, but bands must bring their own keyboard if they need one.

If Main Street receives more than six applications, the organization will preview all bands and choose six for the contest.

For more information, phone Main Street program director Deb Ford at (309) 526-8299.

Carnival tickets:

Advance tickets for Boden Amusements should be available starting the second week in August at Orion IGA, BankORION, Parkside Treasure House and Orion Family Pharmacy.

Car show:

The Orion Fall Festival car show will be held Sunday, Sept. 5, on Fourth Street, Orion. Registration will be from 9 a. m. to noon, and the show will begin at noon. Awards will be presented at 3 p. m. with a 100 per cent payback of prize money. 

Antique cars, trucks, classic cars, hot rods and Corvettes are welcome. The Quad City Cruisers will provide music. For more information, contact Jim DeBaillie at (309) 781-6336.

Parade:

“Autumn Splendor, Community Pride” is the theme of the Orion Fall Festival parade on Saturday, Sept. 4. Line-up is at noon at Orion High School, and the parade will begin at 1 p.m., half an hour earlier than in the past.

The parade route will be from the high school west on 11th Avenue to Fourth Street, over to 12th Avenue and east to Orion Middle School.

For safety reasons, no candy may be thrown from moving vehicles. Walkers may distribute candy.

The parade has no entry fee, and award winners will receive cash prizes.

Immediately after the parade, an antique tractor and car display will be held on Fourth Street between 11th and 12th avenues.

To enter, phone Jim DeBaillie at (309) 781-6336 or Stu Etheridge at (309) 781-5585.

Crafts, flea market and antiques:

Orion Fall Festival will have a craft show, flea market and antique show from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 4; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 5, in Central Park, Orion.

Anyone wishing to exhibit hand-crafted items, flea market items and antiques must apply by Friday, Aug. 13. First paid is first served.

Sales of weapons and offensive items are not allowed. Weapons include knives, blowguns and martial arts devices.

Vendors may use 12th Avenue north of Central Park to unload and load. As soon as possible, vehicles should be moved so others can use the street.

Spaces are available inside a tent, or outside along sidewalks. Limited power is available. The registration fee will be higher for those with special electrical requirements.

For more information or an application, contact Tamey Johnson at (309) 526-8843 or Deb VanDerSnick at 526-3681.

Children’s, family runs:

Orion PTA is in charge of the Orion Fall Festival run and walk
on Saturday, Sept. 4.

The run will have a different format. Instead of a 5K race, the PTA will have shorter runs for children according to age groups. After all the runs, a family walk and run will have whole families competing together. Next year, the group may bring back 5K and 10K races.

Volunteers are needed to help with the run. Anyone interested should contact PTA president Natalie Farwell at nfarwell@frontiernet.net.