This October families can celebrate Michigan’s glorious autumn and enjoy a glimpse of true Americana, as Under the Harvest Moon returns to downtown Dowagiac on Saturday, Oct. 12.

Presented by Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, festival organizers are pleased to welcome The Pokagon Fund as a major underwriter of Dowagiac’s newest event, which is celebrating its third season this October.

Vickie Phillipson, program director for the Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Development Authority, in conjunction with Mary Dunbar, executive director of The Pokagon Fund, announced Tuesday the Dowagiac festival will receive a $3,000 fine arts grant from The Pokagon Fund.

Phillipson said this additional funding boost, along with corporate sponsorship monies, will provide for new entertainment, awards and activities.

Corporate sponsors of the festival include Kim MacGregor’s office of Edward Jones, Hale’s Hardware, Leader Publications, Skibbe Business and Tax Service, Smoke Vision Care, Starks Family Funeral Homes, Sustainable Recycling Inc. and Town and Country Garden Club.

At the heart of the event will be a display of vintage farm tractors, an open air marketplace of antiques, fall produce, Michigan handmade products and sweet delicacies, as well as street entertainment and family activities.

In addition to Phillipson, festival organizers include Kim MacGregor of Edward Jones and Jim Frazier of Vincent J. Jewelers.

“New this year, the central business district will be swathed in autumn colors as more than 60 hardy mums will be planted in downtown flower planters by members of Town and Country Garden Club,” Phillipson said.

“The garden club, as one of our newest corporate sponsors, and City of Dowagiac agreed to share the cost of 66 hardy mums, grown by local grower Charlie Dohm, which will dress the downtown in brilliant shades of orange, gold and burgandy.”

Phillipson said a delightful assembly of scarecrows is also expected to take its place in the central business district, as the public and business owners are encouraged to enter the Scarecrow Contest.

To enter the contest, register for a booth in the  open-air marketplace or obtain a full schedule of events, call the Chamber of Commerce at (269) 782-212 or visit www.DowagiacChamber.com.