As the sun sets on this year's warm weather season, the concluding evening of Mexico's 2008 Sunset Festival will be conducted Thursday night, providing a chance for area residents to again enjoy outdoor, family-oriented activities before the advent of colder weather.

"The weather is supposed to cooperate with us this week, and this is kind of the conclusion of summer, the beginning of fall, and offers a chance for families to savor nice weather, and have some fun on the Village Square in Mexico," stated Sue Caine, executive vice president of the Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce.

Current weather forecast from the National Weather Service for Thursday is mostly sunny during the day, with highs in the low 80s, and mostly clear in the evening.

Thursday's activities will be highlighted by Mexico Idol Finals competition. There are six finalists vying for the top honor, with competition beginning at 7 p.m. Competing are Callie Cox, Mikayla Hunt, Libby Mattingly, Keven S. Nance, Jason Richmond, and Bob Weston. Additional entertainment will be provided by last year's Mexico Idol winner, Dre Mitchell, and area resident Franci Chrisman.

Also featured Thursday will be a showcase for miscellaneous vehicles. "Anyone is welcome with cars, tractors or motorcycles," stated Caine, noting that participants will include various car dealers, and M&M Vehicle Corporation of Mexico, which showcases street-legal low speed vehicles. She added: "Anyone interested doesn't need to contact us. But they should back the vehicle in facing the courthouse. And we're going to put all the motorcycles on Monroe Street. And then people can back their cars into parking spaces on Washington on the outer perimeter of the square, and they can back them in on Jackson Street. And tractors, we'll put them over in front of the law firm on Jefferson."

Likewise, in conjunction with this weekend's "Walk Back In Time" event on the grounds of the Audrain County Historical Society, Caine said certain re-enactors will appear. Also, Kettle Corn will be available, and for children, two bounce houses and the kids train.

The festivities on the square begin Thursday evening at 5 p.m., and continue until 8 p.m. For more information, contact the chamber at 581-2765.