Fall is in the air and it’s now time for the great outdoor festivals including the 25th Annual Denison Main Street Fall Festival scheduled for Saturday, October 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Organizers promise those attending will be in for an action packed day of food, fun, entertainment, and great shopping in a family oriented venue perfect for all ages.

The festival will officially kickoff on Saturday morning at 7 a.m. with the traditional Pancake Breakfast hosted by First Presbyterian Church, Park Avenue Church of Christ, Parkside Baptist Church and Waples UMC Men’s groups.    This charitable event benefits the Ministerial Alliance, Denison Helping Hands and Grayson County Shelter.   Tickets are only $5 and can be purchased in advance from any of the participating churches, the Denison Chamber of Commerce  or the day of the event. With such a hearty start to your day with coffee, orange juice, pancakes and sausage, you’ll be energized and ready to begin strolling the streets to view the wares of over one hundred fifty vendors.

Vendors will be setup and ready for action as they line the streets of downtown Denison with collectible items, candles, handmade jewelry, glass etching, floral arrangements, woodcarvings and many other arts and crafts items that will lure you to their booth for closer inspection.  Interspersed throughout the crafts will be information booths by groups such as Keep Denison Beautiful, Scout groups, health care entities and other non-profit agencies.   Vendors will be located on Main Street from the 200 block through the 600 block this year as well as on Burnett, Fannin, Rusk and Mirick Avenues.

When the urge for great food hits, head straight for the food court located near Heritage Park where  you will find vendors offering delectable treats such as turkey legs, funnel cakes, BBQ, corn dogs and much more throughout the day.  Tables and chairs will be scattered throughout the park so that you can relax and enjoy your treats while watching entertainment at the Gazebo stage sponsored by Woodcreek Apartments.  Featured entertainment will be by the Parkside Baptist Church Praise Choir,  Little Big Iron, Metropolitan Bluegrass Authority, Philip Wildman with Greatful Fred & Captain Bill, Lu Herrin and Cheri King and Kevin Deal.

New this year will be a Firetruck Pull sponsored by the Masonic Lodge and a Waterball Walk.  Both of these will be located on Fannin Avenue along with a dunkin booth sponsored by the DHS cheerleaders and the emergency vehicle display.
   
The Demonstration Stage will be at the intersection of Main and Mirick and is sponsored by Landmark Bank.  You can enjoy non –stop entertainment beginning at 10 a.m. by groups such as Dance Xplosion, Denison Karate Club, Cannonball Cloggers, Grip Game Jiujitsu, Little Goddess Tribal Belly Dancers, Denison Dance Academy and much more that will be featured throughout the day.  Adjacent to this area in the 500 block of Main will be the children’s area activities and games including a  bouncy house, Katfish fishing tank, pony rides, and more.
 
An annual favorite is the classic car show sponsored by Pilkilton Dodge and Main Street Optical and the Antique Car Club. It will once again be headquartered in the 200 block of West Main with over 100 entries expected.  Winners will be announced at 3 p.m.

The 3rd annual Motorcycle Show sponsored by Charles Holder Insurance will be in the 600 block of West Main.   Be sure to cast your vote for your favorite motorcycles as plaques will be awarded to the largest participating group, the Best of Show, Best Custom and Best Antique. 

Including in the day’s activities will be the arrival of the police car caravan composed of units from all of the cities in Grayson County for the Texoma Night Out.  The caravan is anticipated to arrive around 1:30 p.m. and will be located in the 700 block of west Main for about an hour.  Youngsters and adults are encouraged to visit with the officers and express their appreciation to them for the great job they do in keeping our communities and citizens safe throughout the year.

The 2012 festival is sponsored by the City of Denison, the Denison Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau.