(Westport, IN) — Downtown Westport has a fresh look just in time for one of the community’s biggest annual events.
The Town of Westport has installed a new gazebo and Santa’s Workshop through a collaborative effort involving the Decatur County Community Foundation and Main Street Westport.
The additions come just ahead of the 10th annual MainStreet Westport Fall Festival, with activities planned Friday, Oct. 9, and the main festival day Saturday, Oct. 10.
Friday’s activities include a free cruise-in from 4 to 7 p.m. and a pork chop dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. The dinner costs $15 per person.
The festival gets into full swing from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday with vendors, food trucks, a parade, inflatables, carriage rides, a baking contest, a Halloween costume contest, raffles, door prizes, and bingo for both children and adults.
The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, with the 2026 Little Mister and Little Miss introduction scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
Bryan Gatewood announced the downtown improvements this week, saying the project shows what can be accomplished when local groups and residents work together.
Gatewood also thanked Mark Koors for helping remove the former gazebo and Santa’s Workshop to make room for the replacements.
While the new gazebo will be part of the downtown setting when crowds arrive for the Fall Festival, the new Santa’s Workshop is intended for Westport’s Christmas season.
Another downtown addition is already planned.
Gatewood said a new Christmas tree is next for the area, continuing improvements to the community gathering space ahead of the holidays.
