Square to be Closed for Festival

For the first time in the Columbia Downtown Days celebration history the entire square will be closed to traffic as the festivities go into full swing.
Beginning at 12:00 noon on Friday, Oct. 10 all parking on the square will be closed followed by one block from the square on Greensburg Street and Burkesville Street at 2:00 P.M.
In addition, Jamestown Street and Campbellsville Road will be closed at approximately 5:00 A.M. on Saturday.
To help make the closing a smooth process for trucks, events coordinator Rhonda Loy stated that there will be sign boards located at each end of the new Columbia By-Pass informing drivers of the closings.
Columbia Downtown Days celebration kicks off this Friday and will be a great time to be had for all ages as event coordinators recruited a wide variety of activities to make this year's festival the best ever.
ìEverything's going real well and it looks as if the weather is going to be great this weekend and we're looking forward to a great event,î Loy said.
ìThe ticket sales for Diamond Rio concert on Saturday night have been doing well, and we want to encourage everyone to come out and support the community,î commented Loy.
Loy added that if the concert is a success, they would be looking at bringing in other bands in the future.
There will be a wide variety of vendors and a food court for the festival this year, with all the food vendors being located in the same area.
The festival kicks off Friday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. when the vendor booths open and a free concert by the Wichitaw Band, a corn toss tournament and kiddy train rides.
On Saturday the events get underway with a Fun Run for ages 10 and under, followed by the annual 5K run and a fun pet show.
The Downtown Days beauty pageants are also scheduled for Saturday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the city parking lot off Burkesville Street behind Walker Realty.
Musical entertainment will go on throughout the day on the Main Stage on the square at starting at 11:00 a.m.
The historical re-enactment of the robbery of the Bank of Columbia by the James-Younger Gang, a crowd favorite, will take place at 12-noon.
Afternoon events will include a children's parade, various entertainment on the main stage and the bed race.
The Diamond Rio concert will cap off Saturday's events starting at 7:00 p.m. at Adair County High School's Booster Field.
Tickets are $15, and are on sale now at Columbia City Hall, Movie Warehouse, WAIN, Grimsley's Jewelry and Flowers and Things or by calling 270-384-6183 and will be available at the gate before the show.
The festival will conclude Sunday evening with the Adair County Ministerial Association hosting a Music, Prayer and Testimony on the Public Square from 6 to 8 p.m.