Devyn LeBlanc: reporter@greenepublishing.com
The Madison County Chamber of Commerce has worked hard to plan this year's Down Home Days event. Down Home Days is set to take place on Saturday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a myriad of events planned from Wednesday, April 20 to Sunday, April 24. Although events may be subject to change, the events itinerary is as follows:
Wednesday, April 20
A talent show will be held at New Visions Community Outreach, located at 172 SW Range St., in Madison, beginning at 7 p.m. There is a $10 entry fee for those interested in joining, with cash prizes up for grabs.
Thursday, April 21
A free dog show will take place at Four Freedoms Park, and is set to begin at 6 p.m. Registration will take place at 5:30 p.m.
Friday, April 22
⁃ Becky's Dance Steps Studios will dance in the downtown streets of Madison, beginning at 6 p.m.
⁃ Grumpy's Diner, located at 244 SW Range Ave., in Madison, will host a pie bake-off at 6 p.m.
⁃ The Madison Church of Christ, located at 199 NE Range St., will hold a choir performance in the downtown street of Madison from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 23
⁃ Champion Fitness fun run – 8 a.m.
⁃ Parade – 10 a.m.
⁃ Pie-in-the-face fundraiser – 11 a.m.
⁃ Corn hole tournament – 12 p.m.
⁃ Frog Hop – 1:30 p.m.
⁃ Magic show at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Madison Church of God, located at 771 NE Colin Kelly Hwy.
Sunday, April 24
⁃ Prayers for my City from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Revelation Missionary Baptist Church, located at 172 SW Range St., in Madison.
In addition to these various events, the Chamber invites the community to enjoy a day of shopping, food, antique cars, a kids zone, horse and buggy rides, wildlife presentations and more.
To register for the talent show on Wednesday, April 20, participants may pick up registration forms at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce office, located at 182 College Loop, Grumpy's Diner, A Main Street Realty, located at 186 SW Range Ave. or email MadisonsGotTalent@protonmail.com.
Those interested in participating in the pie bake-off, sponsored by Grumpy's Diner, are asked to bake their favorite pie and deliver it to Grumpy's Diner by 6 p.m. on Friday, April 22. You may enter more than one pie, but there is an entry-fee of $10 per pie. A team of judges will select the winner based on the taste and presentation of the pie. The winner will be awarded a $50 grand prize. All pies will be served by the slice to customers during the Down Home Days festivities on Saturday, April 23. All proceeds collected from pie entries will benefit the Madison County Chamber of Commerce.
Those interested in participating in the Fun Run, hosted by Champion Fitness, are asked to register by Tuesday, April 12, and will be given a free t-shirt. The cost of entry is $30 per runner, and those looking for more information, or to enter may call (850) 779-7280.
The corn hole tournament, taking place on Saturday, April 23, will begin at noon on the court house lawn. The teams will consist of two people, and the cost of entry per team is $15. There will be a first place prize of $100, a second place prize of $50 and a third place prize of $25. For more information or to register, call We Insure at (850) 253-0262 or stop by their office, located at 353 NE Marion St., in Madison.
Madison's 31st annual Frog Hop will take place on the court house lawn on Saturday, April 23 at 1:30 p.m. There is no entry fee and no pre-registration for this event. It is asked that participants please arrive 30 minutes early to register their frog for the contest. For more information regarding the Frog Hop, please contact Lee Cherry at (850) 464-1325 or David Wheeler at (850) 464-2842.
Magic in Madison will take place on Saturday, April 23, at Madison Church of God, with showtimes at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The show will feature magician Jack Maxwell and special guest Robert Sands. Those interested in purchasing tickets in advance, can stop by Madison County Community Bank, located at 301 E Base St., in Madison, or the Madison County Chamber of Commerce. The fee for advance tickets is $12, and will cost $16 if purchased at the door. Children three and under are free, but are required to sit on a lap. There is limited seating available, so get your tickets before they sell out. For more information regarding the magic show, please call the Madison County Chamber of Commerce at (850) 973-2788.
Registration for the antique car show, taking place on Saturday, April 23, will open at 8:30 a.m. on NE Range St. Line-up will take place at 9 a.m. beside O'Neals Restaurant, located at 558 W Base St., in Madison. Prize and cash drawings will take place at 2 p.m., and all participants will receive a gift bag and entry for prize and cash drawings. For more information, contact Keith Ruff at (850) 464-8996, send an email to kruff2022@att.net or call Stephanie Ruff at (850) 464-8999.