Contributing editor
Downtown Elkton's Fall Fest 2015 will be a blend of new events and marks the return of traditional favorites.
Fall Fest kicks off on Friday night, September 18. There will be a car show beginning at 5 p.m. on North and Main streets.
Food vendors will be on site.
Fireworks, which were held in July due to a rain-soaked Meadow Park, begin about 9 p.m.
The Delmarva Dock Dogs, a canine dock diving club, has signed on for Fall Fest. The dogs will be in Elkton on Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19. Their pool and performance area will be set up on Howard Street, in the area formerly used for the Firefighter Combat Challenge.
Dogs will compete in the big air (dog long jump), extreme vertical (dog high jump), and speed retrieve (dog speed swim).
You don't have to be an expert to get in on the action. On Friday from 9 a.m. until noon, for a $15 fee, your dog can get in on the action.
One of the highlights on Saturday begins at noon. The first ever Fall Fest Battle Rap Competition will be held. Eight people can sign up and vie for a trophy. The rules for the battle are no foul language or street violence in the lyrics.
All music must be clean. Entrants must pre-register by submitting tracks to the Elkton Chamber/Alliance. Call 410-398-5076 for more information.
More than 60 crafters and vendors have signed up. Vendors will open their stands on North and Main Street at 8:30 a.m. The Dock Dogs competition begins at 9 a.m.
One of the favorite events at Fall Fest, the Cub Scout Push Cart Derby begins on North Street ay 9:30 a.m. Registration for that event begins one hour prior. The Pretty Baby contest begins at 10 a.m. Registration begins at 9 a.m.
Miss Fall Fest will be held at 11 a.m. with registration beginning at 10 a.m. Dancers from Bobbie Ann's Dance Studio will perform beginning at 12:30 p.m. The Elkton's Voice competition begins at 2:30 p.m.
The events will wrap up with a Neil Diamond tribute by The Real Diamond from 6-8 p.m.