Published: September 03, 2008 10:12 am      

Get ready to paint the town

MORRISON, Ill.— The time is coming once again for Main Street in Morrison to become a decorated canvas of pictures and colors. The Children’s Art Preservation Association of Morrison is once again inviting people to come out Sept. 20 and paint the town.

Five blocks will be closed to traffic and a grid of squares will be drawn to allow people to paint their own works of art. Last year 1,204 squares were painted during the event. This year 1,300 squares will be available. Participants will decorate and design their squares while surrounded by food and entertainment.

Street musicians and other performers will mill around the Paint the Town event. The festival will also have live bands at three venues; an east, a center and a west performance stage. The featured musical performances include Steel Crazy, a 10-member steel drum band; Kawsay, music of the Andies; the Backwater Bayou Band, a mariachi band; and John Janssen on guitar. Magician Jason Hamilton and Billy the Balloon Guy will also be performing.

Paint the Town begins at noon with the pre-registration paint pickup and walk-on registration at Main Street and Base Street. However, the fun actually begins the week before as people can watch for window artists decorating the business windows on Main Street. During the Sept. 20 celebration, food courts will be open at Madison, Genesee and Base streets. That evening, the Genesee Street food court will remain open and Moonlighting DJ will play.

People interested in painting their own five foot by five foot square can pre-register any time before 5 p.m. Sept. 19. People can paint by themselves or in a group. Those pre-registering will pay $10 per person. Each registered person will receive an assigned framed space, a five-bottle primary color paint set, cups with stirrers, a pallet for mixing colors, two brushes, color mixing instructions, give-aways from Paint the Town sponsors and a 2008 logo T-shirt. People are encouraged to also bring any other tools and materials, such as paint rollers, stencils, sponges, different sized of brushes, toothbrushes to be used for splattering, or glitter. People, however, are asked not to bring additional paint, as additional water-based tempra paint will be available.

To pre-register, a person will need to complete a registration form and mail it to or drop it off to one of two addresses listed on the form. Registration forms can be found at 200 W. Main St., Morrison or at www.morrisoncapa.org. On the day of the event, people may register as a walk-on for $15 per person. The squares are limited and are filled first come, first served.

Interested people can also participate in the Harvest Hammer Race or the Baggo Tournament that will be happening throughout the day of Paint the Town.

On Sept. 21, the streets will be blocked and people will be able to view and take pictures of the painted squares. A car show of more than 100 collectible cars will also take place. Anyone wanting more information on the Paint the Town festival and the other events can contact Morrison City Hall at (815) 772-2670.