By Peggy Walker

It’s almost fall, y’all, and the Batesville Main Street Program is bringing it to the Square! The Batesville Public Square is always a good place to be but this fall you’ll find even more opportunities for shopping, playing, browsing, and just having a good time with friends and family.

Soon the planters located around the square will be filled to the brim with the colors and flowers of fall.  They’ll make you want to put a pumpkin on the front porch and greens on the table.  And you’ll find these fall favorites at the Square Market.  Vendors will have late season produce available every Wednesday through the end of October, from 2:30 until 5:30 p.m.

Remember the scarecrows? They’ll be back in September!  Once again the Main Street Program is sponsoring the Scarecrow Trail.  Starting from the Downtown Square the Scarecrow Trail will spread out all over town and the top 3 scarecrows will be selected for prizes!  

All scarecrows will be judged on September 30, based on creativity and how well they represent the business where they’re located.  

To enter the contest, purchase the basic scarecrow form from the Main Street Program for $15.  Those who participated last year may re-use their form for a $5 entry fee.  Any business, group, or person can enter — the more the scarier!  Be sure to take a drive around town and a walk around the Square to see the fine specimen of scarecrows on display.  They’ll be out until the end of October celebrating the fall season!

Come on down to the Square on October 1 to see who’s showing off this year. Expect to see over 200 shined up, spiffied up, and slicked up vehicles showing what they have to hundreds of enthusiasts and the curious at the Second Annual Showoff on the Square.  

Take plenty of time to browse because the Main Street Program has planned something for everyone that Saturday.  

Children will find fun at a lively kids’ area sponsored by Junior Auxiliary of Batesville and shoppers will find all kinds of arts and crafts in the Court House parking lot.  Merchants will have sidewalk sales and stores will be dressed for fall.  
And, when you get hungry there will be a buffet of food vendors just waiting to serve you something good!  Anyone wanting to sell arts & crafts can contact the Main Street Program for an application, or go online to the Panola Partnership website at www.panolacounty.com  to download a copy.   It’s going to be a fall-fabulous day!

Get your Halloween on and come to town Saturday, October 29, for Scare on the Square which includes a costumed walk, costume contest, and Trick or Trunk.  From 9 to 10 a.m. all ages can participate in Main Street’s costumed walk.

 Flaunt your haunt all the way to the finish line at Batesville Memorial Park.  Afterwards, winners of the costume contest will be announced and awarded prizes.   All age groups are invited to enter the Halloween costume contest.  

And, that’s not all!  What’s Halloween without Trick or Treat?  All costumed little ghosts and goblins, aged 10 and under, can trick or treat from trunk to trunk right on the square too.  Area businesses, churches, and civic organizations, just like last year, are invited to decorate their trunks and provide healthy and fun treats for the hundreds of children expected this year.  

So get creative, there will be awards for the most festively decorated trunks.  Scare on the Square will be like one big Halloween Party!  Share in the spirit of fun and help provide local children a great, safe place to celebrate Halloween!
From fall right into the Holidays!  Batesville’s annual, citywide Holiday Open House is Sunday, November 20, from 1 to 5 p.m.  Grab a quick lunch after church, put the family in the car and head to town.  Businesses all over town will be dressed in their holiday finest with hopes that everyone is ready for some holiday spirit!  

Plot your course to stop by every business because Batesville merchants spend a lot of time and effort getting ready for this community event.  On the Square you can take a leisurely carriage ride through the downtown area.

 Malcolm Morehead, photographer, will be there to capture moments with Santa; and the Christmas Bazaar will offer wonderful handmade items, tasty homemade treats and other great gift items.  At Santa’s workshop the little ones can write letters to Santa, make reindeer food, and decorate ornaments for free!  Holiday fun for all!

Bring your family and meet your friends at the Square this fall for all of these festivities and to enjoy what Batesville’s Public Square has to offer. Remember…It all started here and it’s still going on!

Panolian columnist Peggy Walker serves as a volunteer for Batesville Main Street.