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Local
Paint the Town/Harvest Hammer on September 21 in Morrison By Jill Horn The 19th annual Paint the Town, a much beloved town tradition, returns to Morrison on Sept. 21, and many people are thrilled. Morrison resident, Joel Horn, loves Paint the Town, “It’s my favorite day of the year.” His children have participated every year they’ve lived in Morrison, and the event has never been rained out, but if you think this event is just for kids, you’d
be wrong. People of all ages come and paint a 5’ X 5’ square on and around Main Street, from Madison to Orange Street. There is also live music, a food court and a bags tournament. Painting begins around noon and lasts until evening. The streets are blocked off early in the morning when volunteers paint the boundaries for the squares before it’s even light out. Every year, they seem to
add more squares. People who grew up in Morrison and have since moved away come back and bring their kids to paint squares. The streets remain blocked off on Sunday. People can walk through the streets and see all the artwork. It’s best to register groups at the same time before the event so the group can be in the same area. To register online, one must purchase squares by 4 p.m. Thursday, September 13.
Alison Pinion of Sterling
The cost of one square is $13 in person or $14 online. Registration is $18 to register on the day of the event. For more information about the event, visit www. paintthetownmorrison.com. The Harvest Hammer in Morrison is the same day as Paint the Town. This year will be the 26th year Morrison has had the race. There are several events that morning, starting with 1/2 Mile Fun Run and 1/3 Mile Wee Run (reserved for children in 5th grade and under) and then the 1 Mile Challenge Run (especially for 5th through 8th graders) are before the main event. The Decathlon – 5k run/21mile bike ride for individuals or teams and the 5k Run/ Walk begin at the same time. Medals are awarded to first, second and third places.
Karmie Rapp of Sterling with her bike as she gets ready for the Harvest Hammer.
This event is for the whole family. I saw three generations participating last year in the same event. The grandson and his grandfather were a team in the decathlon, and the father was in the 5K. There were also whole families who participated in all the events that day. It is for people
who are competitive and for people who are just having fun. In the decathlon, there are professionals, such as Bryce Mead, and others who have no fancy equipment, just a mountain bike, who also enjoy the events that day. For more information and to register, visit www. harvesthammer.org.
Car wash to help Home of Hope August 10 The area schools’ B.L.I.N.D. programs, along with Harkness Auto Group, will be helping out with a Home of Hope event “Creating Hope with every Car Wash” on Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be three locations for the event: Harkness Cheverolet on the corner of Lynn Blvd and Locust St Sterling, former Bollman Motors in Rock Falls on Rt. 30 and Harkness Auto in Morrison on Rt. 30.
All Donations will benefit Home of Hope Cancer Wellness Center, supporting those touched by cancer. Please come and support this local organization!