With the cooler temperatures that have blown in this past week, it is easy to start looking forward to autumn colors and all the outdoor events of the season. Now is the time to mark your calendar and set aside October 13th for the second annual Fall Fest at McClellan. Roughly 750 people turned out last year on a beautiful October day to enjoy a day of celebration of agriculture, regional foods, and local arts and crafts on McClellan's historic parade grounds. This year promises to be bigger and better.

In the tradition of a county fair, contests will be held in a variety of cooking and handcraft divisions, including the chicken-que, canned goods and baked goods contests, and arts and crafts contests. There is still plenty of time to perfect those recipes and finish up those craft projects. Contact the Calhoun County Extension Office at 237-1621 for complete rules and submission guidelines or visit their website at www.aces.edu/counties/Calhoun/

Other events planned for Fall Fest 2007 include a cake walk, hay rides, face painting for children, pumpkin patch and a farm animal petting zoo. Local farmers will be selling their autumn produce, and area master gardeners can help you dress up your summer weary yard at their plant sale. Local artists and crafts people will also be selling their wares. New this year will be an Antique Tractor show. Food and beverage vendors will be on hand, so plan on spending the whole day.

Providing live music will be the band Cowboy Up. The Cowboy Up band was formed in 2006 by former Sawyer Brown fiddle and guitarist Bobby Randall, and drummer Fred Comeau. Bass player and singer, Morgan Thaxton, a member of the classic rock group Dr. Hook, brings his great bass playing along with his powerful voice to this band! And Brad Cornelius, formerly of the Southeast band Southern Breeze, joins Cowboy Up on lead guitar and vocals. Bring a folding chair and enjoy the music. Cowboy Up will be performing from 11 AM to 2 PM.

Fall Fest is sponsored by the McClellan JPA, Calhoun County Extension office, Calhoun County Master Gardeners, Calhoun County Beautification Board, Buckner Center, Calhoun County Commission, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Calhoun County Farmer's Federation and Women's Committee, and Waffle House. Alabama 810 AM Classic Country will be giving away a Gatlinburg vacation package (Drawing at 2 PM - must be present to win). All proceeds will go to the Calhoun County 4-H.

Saturday, October 13 - 10 AM to 3 PM
Admission $1 - Wear a Halloween costume and get in FREE!

Photos courtesy of Calhoun County Extension Office

LB 9/29/2007