Downtown Elizabethton will be a bustling hub of fall activities in the next few weeks as the downtown merchants and community begin preparing for the holidays.
The first event will be the 2014 Elizabethton Downtown Business Association Scarecrow Contest.
The contest is open to anyone. Participants will decorate their own scarecrows that will be displayed on the columns along East Elk Avenue. The scarecrows will be judged and the winner will receive a $50 cash prize.
There is no cost to enter the contest, and participants have the freedom to decorate their scarecrow in almost any way that they want. The only requirements are that the decorations be family-friendly, be durable to the elements and not extend closer than one foot from the edge of the sidewalk.
DBA President Cathy Shoun encouraged the businesses to participate and spread the word to their families and friends to participate as well.
“We all need to get involved and promote this,” Shoun said. “We need to build this up. It is new and it needs to be able to grow.”
Entries will be judged by a committee on creativity, originality and general appearance.
The deadline to enter is Oct. 10 and all scarecrows should be displayed by Oct. 15. The awards will be given Oct. 22.
Applications will be available at the Elizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce and select downtown businesses and through the Elizabethton Star.
After that, it will be time for ghosts, goblins and other creatures to take over downtown during the annual Trick or Treating on Halloween from 3-4:30 p.m.
Businesses will be offering candy treats to costumed visitors. The Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library and the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department will also partner with the DBA to host a Halloween Block Party on Armed Forces Drive with inflatables and candy.
After Halloween, downtown Elizabethton will turn its focus to Christmas with its annual Christmas Open House set for Sunday, Nov. 9, from 1-5 p.m.
The Fraser Fir Christmas Tree Lighting will be Monday, Nov. 17, at 6 p.m. and the annual Christmas Parade will be Saturday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m.