59th Annual Decatur Barbecue Festival schedule

— 7 a.m. — The day will begin with the Fun Run. The event will include a 2K, 5K and 10K race, with four age divisions for men and women. Sign-up for the race will start at 6:30 a.m., and the race will begin at the Edmondson Ball Fields. Early registration fees are $10 and will go up to $15 on the day of the race. For more information, contact Darrell Harmon at 752-3281.

8:30 a.m. — Children’s games will be held in Veterans Park, including a toe-sack race, two-legged race, water-balloon toss, egg toss, frog-jumping contest and turtle-decorating contest.

10 a.m. until sold out — Traditional barbecue chicken dinners, barbecue beef sandwiches and hot dogs will be served in Veterans Park.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. — The 9th Annual Car Show will be held in Veterans Park. Registration will be held from 10 a.m. until noon. Registration fees will be $10. Prizes will be awarded, including best car of show, best truck of show and top 20 vehicles. For more information, contact Rick at 549-2711.

10 a.m. until 8 p.m. — Arkansas Helicopters of Springdale will be giving helicopter rides for $25 a person at the lower softball field in Veterans Park.

10:30 a.m. — The parade will line up at the Old City Park. Community members and organizations are invited to enter the parade; however, only persons over 12 years of age will be allowed to drive ATVs in the parade.

11 a.m. — The parade will make its way down Main Street to Veterans Park. Chamber of Commerce president David Flynt will use a public address system in the General Store parking lot to announce each parade entry.

7 p.m. — The casual portion of the Miss Decatur Barbecue Pageant will begin.

7:30 p.m. — Four to six year olds will show off their talents and vie for the title of Little Miss and Mr. Decatur Barbecue. 8 p.m. — Arkansas Helicopters will hold a golf ball drop as a fund-raiser for the Decatur High School Athletics Department. 8 p.m. — The formal portion of the Miss Decatur Barbecue pageant will be held and winners will be announced. 9:30 p.m. — Free concert by country musician James Wesley.

*Parking will be $3 per vehicle throughout the day.

Community, Pages 19 on 08/01/2012