Whitley County Harvest Moon Festival now extended to two days, October 3-4
(Talk of the Town photo by Kelley Sheiss) The Whitley County Harvest Moon Festival committee met Monday afternoon in Morsches Park to continue plans for the family celebration of the harvest season in downtown Columbia City on October 3 and October 4. Above, clockwise from left, is Jorell Tucker, Kevin Ousley, Rebecca Todd, Doris Horne, Jennifer Zartman Romano and Tiffany Herron. Not shown is Kelley Sheiss, Amanda Banks, Jesse Kimmell and Chad Moore.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
The buzz continues to spread about the upcoming Whitley County Harvest Moon Festival – particularly now that the event has expanded from what was originally a one day event to a two day event in downtown Columbia City. 
On Friday , Oct. 3, from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 4, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. the community in invited to the Whitley County Courthouse Lawn for the Whitley County Harvest Moon Festival, an official event of the Columbia City Farmers Market to celebrate harvest time.
The festival will now kick off with a pumpkin carving contest on Friday, October 3, from 6-8 p.m. The cost is $10 to participate (pumpkin provided) or $5 to participate if you bring your own pumpkin. Prizes will be awarded and the pumpkins will be put on display. Proceeds will support Young Adults in Action. For registration information, contact Jorell Tucker at 609-1818 or via e-mail at jorelltucker@hotmail.com
The event will include, among other family-oriented events, a great pumpkin contest, homemade pumpkin dessert contest, live entertainment, pumpkin carving, fall family photo booth, a hula hoop contest, delicious pumpkin treats from local businesses, a cornhole tournament and an abundant selection of booths at the Columbia City Farmers Market.
Admission to the event will be free. There will be nominal fees to participate in various contests, but proceeds will support a variety of local organizations, including the Farmers Market.
Sponsors for the event include Farm Bureau, STAR Financial Bank, STAR Insurance, Hinen Printing, ‘Tis the Season, Rebecca Todd Portraits, Walgreens, Frick Services and Talk of the Town.
Talk of the Town will continue to share information about the many events planned for the Whitley County Harvest Moon Festival.