09/03/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3rd Annual “Fall in Love with Farmer City” Returns September 11–13 with New Activities
FARMER CITY, ILLINOIS — Fall is coming to Main Street as Farmer City welcomes residents and visitors to the 3rd Annual Fall in Love with Farmer City, September 11–13, 2026.
The three-day mini-fest is designed to bring people together, encourage visits to Farmer City, support participating local businesses and organizations, and create simple, affordable fall fun for adults and children alike.
Attendance increased during last year’s event, and organizers hope to continue building the mini-fest a little more each year. Two new interactive activities for 2026 — a Main Street Sidewalk Scarecrow Contest and Sidewalk Chalk Art — are part of that effort to encourage even more community participation.
Rather than trying to become a large festival overnight, the goal is to grow participation and attendance naturally while creating traditions that people will look forward to returning for each fall.
NEW This Year — Main Street Sidewalk Scarecrow Contest
One tradition organizers especially hope to grow is the scarecrow portion of Fall in Love with Farmer City.
For the first time this year, scarecrows will compete in a Main Street Sidewalk Scarecrow Contest, and everyone is encouraged to join in the fun.
Businesses, individuals, families, organizations, clubs and groups are invited to create a scarecrow and bring it to Main Street for display on the sidewalk during the event.
Participants should check in at The Mischievous Monkeys with the name of their scarecrow to be officially entered in the contest.
Throughout the weekend, visitors can pick up a People’s Choice ballot at The Mischievous Monkeys and vote for their favorite scarecrow.
Scarecrow participants must pick up their scarecrows between 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 13. Following the close of the mini-fest, the People’s Choice winner will be announced at approximately 4:00 p.m. Sunday through The Mischievous Monkeys’ and Farmer City Merchants’ Organization’s Facebook groups.
Organizers hope to see more scarecrows lining Main Street each year as businesses, residents, families and groups help turn the contest into a Farmer City fall tradition.
FREE Build a Scarecrow Saturday
Don’t already have a scarecrow? Make one!
On Saturday, The Mischievous Monkeys will sponsor FREE Build a Scarecrow from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The activity is open to both adults and children, giving everyone an opportunity to get creative and become part of the weekend.
NEW This Year — Sidewalk Chalk Art for All Ages
Also new for 2026 is Sidewalk Chalk Art, giving everyone another way to become part of Fall in Love with Farmer City.
Throughout all three days of the mini-fest, children, teenagers, adults, families and groups are invited to get creative and add some color to the Main Street sidewalks. There is no age limit — this activity is for everyone!
Participants are encouraged to bring their own sidewalk chalk, or chalk will be available at The Mischievous Monkeys for those who want to join in the fun.
Along with the new Main Street Sidewalk Scarecrow Contest, organizers hope these interactive activities will continue to grow each year and become traditions visitors look forward to during Fall in Love with Farmer City.
FREE Food on Main Street
Visitors can enjoy some old-fashioned community hospitality with a FREE Ham & Beans Dinner served in front of The Mischievous Monkeys:
Friday, September 11 — 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 12 — 3:00–5:00 p.m.
On Saturday, the Farmer City United Methodist Church will provide FREE Hot Dogs from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Visitors can enjoy lunch, build a scarecrow, create sidewalk chalk art, vote for their favorite scarecrow and spend some time enjoying Main Street.
The Haven Returns for Its Third Year
The Haven is joining Fall in Love with Farmer City for the third year, continuing a tradition that has been part of the event since its beginning.
The Haven will hold a Bake Sale in front of The Mischievous Monkeys, with proceeds supporting activities at the local rehabilitation center.
The bake sale will be held:
Friday, September 11 — 1:00–5:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 12 — 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
The sale will continue during those hours unless goodies sell out sooner.
The Haven and organizers of Fall in Love with Farmer City would also like to thank the community for its continued support over the past three years. Every baked-good purchase helps support activities for local rehabilitation center residents while also supporting the community spirit behind the event.
The Brew Mobile Downtown All Three Days
The Brew Mobile will be set up downtown throughout all three days of Fall in Love with Farmer City, serving coffee, tea, fresh-squeezed lemonade and dirty sodas.
The Brew Mobile accepts both cash and cards, giving visitors a place to grab a drink while enjoying the activities along Main Street.
Fall Shopping, Mums, Pumpkins, Cookies & More
Participating Farmer City businesses will add their own touches to the weekend.
Junk n Lady will have mums and pumpkins for sale Friday and Saturday, bringing even more fall color to the weekend.
Sweet Marie’s She Shed will be giving out cookies, while The Mischievous Monkeys will hold its Fall Open House.
Customers making a purchase at The Mischievous Monkeys can also register for a chance to win a $100 floral bouquet.
Visitors are encouraged to explore Farmer City, support the businesses and organizations participating in the weekend, and enjoy the activities taking place along Main Street.
A Favorite Fall Photo Spot Returns
The vintage red Ford truck, surrounded by hay bales, pumpkins and seasonal decorations, will return again this year. The display has become a favorite spot for visitors to stop and take fall photos during the event.
Families, friends and visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras and make a memory while enjoying Fall in Love with Farmer City.
A Small Event with Room to Grow
Fall in Love with Farmer City is intentionally a growing community event.
After seeing increased attendance last year, organizers hope to continue attracting more visitors from Farmer City and surrounding Central Illinois communities. As attendance and participation grow, there will be opportunities to add additional food, vendors and activities in future years.
For now, Fall in Love with Farmer City is about something much simpler: bringing people together, creating new traditions, supporting those who participate, and giving visitors another reason to discover Farmer City.
Come build a scarecrow. Draw on the sidewalk. Vote for your favorite scarecrow. Enjoy some free food. Pick up some baked goods for a good cause. Grab a coffee or lemonade. Shop a little. Take a fall photo. Visit with friends and neighbors.
And most importantly, come see why we invite everyone to Fall in Love with Farmer City.
The 3rd Annual Fall in Love with Farmer City takes place September 11–13, 2026, along Main Street in Farmer City, Illinois.
MEDIA & EVENT INFORMATION
Robert Allen McIlvain
Farmer City Merchants’ Organization
The Mischievous Monkeys
Farmer City, Illinois
Phone: 309-928-7656
