By CHERIL VERNON

MONTALBA — And old-fashioned country fair atmosphere will come to life Saturday for the annual Montalba Fall Fest.

The event, which will be held on the Montalba Community Center grounds on Texas 19 North, will include a wide range of activities starting with a parade at 10 a.m. led by the grand marshal K-Lu Cowan, an Anderson County native. Parade lineup will start at 9:30 a.m. on FM 321 west of Texas 19 North.

The festival will feature an exhibit show, arts and crafts, activities for the kids including a children’s pet show, a live auction, white elephant sale, chocolate pie contest and a men’s cake baking contest.

“I think it will be lots of fun for people — it’s a place to bring your families and children and to look around,” said Marge Cathy, one of the organizers. “It’s a country fair atmosphere. It’s a time for people to get together and talk.”

Believe it or not, Saturday’s weather forecast looks good for the Montalba Fall Fest, the first fall festival in the area. According to the National Weather Service, Saturday will be partly cloudy with highs in the 80s and lows around 70.

New to this year’s event is the men’s cake baking contest and a karate exhibition.

Musical entertainment will include Larry and Evelyn Jones, and at 3 p.m. karaoke by Steven Schwintz. The Cherokee Cloggers also will perform.

Children can enjoy a bounce house, big slide and cotton candy. A children’s pet show will be held at 10:30 a.m. Children can bring their pet or a favorite stuffed animal. Every child will receive a ribbon.

As of Wednesday, around 30 arts and crafts booth spots had been purchased for the Montalba Fall Fest.

Booth spots are still available. Cost for a space is $20 through Friday and $25 on Saturday. Show hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To reserve a booth or for more information, call Christy Woolverton 903-549-3462 or e-mail christyw79@aol.com.

“We have a bunch of new people who have never been here before,” Woolverton said. “They will be selling jewelry, children’s decor, baby stuff, wood crafts, knives, AVON, quilts, hair bows, crosses — just a little of everything. Anyone who wants to purchase a booth space is welcome to join us — with the traffic flow, it’s a perfect space for a garage sale.”

As customary, there will be a chance for anyone in the county to show off the masterpieces they have created this past year at the exhibit show. There are categories for art, photography, crafts, needlework, home canning and home grown produce. There is a special section for the county’s youth to show their creations in the same categories. Entries may be brought to the Montalba Community Center building between 5 and 7 p.m. Friday or before 8:30 a.m. Saturday. For information, call Marita Stovall at 903-549-2383.

The event also serves as a major fund-raiser for the Montalba Community Center and the Montalba Volunteer Fire Department.

The Montalba VFD will be selling barbecue plates or stuffed baked potatoes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cost for the meal is $7 for adults and $3 for children ages 10 and under. To-go orders are available.

A handmade queen-size quilt will be given away in a drawing. This quilt was handcrafted by the ladies of the Montalba Community Improvement Association. This has been the association’s main fundraiser for over 40 years. Tickets are $2 each or three for $5. Tickets can be purchased on Saturday at the festival or in advance at Montalba General Store and area banks including Capital One Bank on Loop 256 in Palestine. The drawing for the quilt will be held at 6 p.m., but you need not be present to win. Call 903-549-2491 with questions.

Entries for the Chocolate Pie Contest and Men’s Cake Baking Contest must be at the community center by 11:30 a.m. Saturday. Judging will be at 12:30 p.m. The winning pie and cake will be auctioned at the live auction at 1:30 p.m. All proceeds go directly to the Montalba Community Center and Volunteer Fire Department. For more information, contact Pam Depue at 903-549-2075.

Donations are still needed for the live auction set for 1:30 p.m. The auction also will benefit the two Montalba organizations. To donate items, call Depue at 903-549-2075.

Montalba Fall Fest attendees also are encouraged to be tested as a bone marrow donor for young Montalba resident Emma Routh during the festival.