Depot Days festival this Saturday

"We formed a Depot Days committee and they have been working very hard to put this event together," said Newbern Mayor K.W. Dennison.

The festival will start off with a 5K run and 2-mile health walk organized by the Dyer County YMCA. The price of the 5K is $15 by Sept. 18 or $20 the day of race. The 2-mile health walk is $10 by Sept. 18 or $15 the day of race. The awards ceremony for the race will take place at 10 a.m. Runners and walkers will receive a T-shirt and pancake tickets.

The pancake breakfast will be at Mom's Café from 7-10 a.m. and the opening ceremonies start at 8:30 a.m.

It should also be noted that Jeff Jones, Dave Thomas and Scott Foster will be cooking.

After you get your fill of breakfast, there will be activities for the whole family to enjoy with kids activities and arts, crafts and music throughout the day.

"There is going to be a lot of fun for all ages," said Dennison. "It's good, wholesome family entertainment."

The festival's finale is the street dance, which begins at 8 p.m.

Dennison said he is appreciative to everybody that helped organize this year's festival.

"I just want to say 'thank you' to everyone that helped put this year's festival together," said Dennison. "We sure do appreciate it because it takes a lot of effort to do this."

For more information on the Depot Days festival call Newbern City Hall at 731-627-3221 or for race information visit the YMCA of Dyer County Web site at www.ymcaofdyercounty.com

Depot Days events and activities:

* 6 a.m. - Vendor setup begins

* 7-10 a.m. - Pancake breakfast including: sausage, pancakes, milk, juice and coffee in Mom's Café in downtown Newbern.

* 7 a.m. Registration for the Depot Days 5K Road Race and 2-mile Health Walk.

* 7:30 a.m. - Race begins followed by awards presentation at 10 a.m.

* 8:30 a.m. - Opening ceremonies and the national anthem.

* 9 a.m. - Art Show and Sale (Various artists will have their work displayed at the Newbern Fire Department.

* 9 a.m. - Crafts and vendors open.

* 9 a.m. - Kids rides, inflatables, rock-climbing wall and pony rides.

* 9:45 a.m. - Cakewalk begins with walks occurring every hour.

* 11 a.m. - Parade begins. (Tractors, antique cars and various entries.)

* Noon - Parade awards ceremony. (Various awards given in multiple categories.)

* 12:30 p.m. - Domino competition.

* 1-3 p.m. - Local talent performs.

* 2:30 p.m. - Lawn mower drawing. (Compliments of Briggs and Stratton)

* 3 p.m. - Elvis performs.

* 4 p.m. - Jackson Plectral Society. (Various bluegrass bands performing throughout downtown Newbern.)

* 7:30 p.m. - $500 cash drawing.

* 8 p.m. - Street dance.