The much anticipated 2014 October Foothills Festival weekend is still a couple of weeks away, but as always there are several fun events, especially for local residents, leading up to the big show on Friday and Saturday, October 17 and 18.

The primary weekend of the festival always draws people from near and far to enjoy two full days and nights of non-stop entertainment, arts and crafts, food and fun for the younger crowd. It has also become an almost traditional weekend for old friends to get together once a year for reunions of all kinds.

But, for local residents primarily, there are always several events that begin several days prior to the main show and this year is no exception.

The following is a reminder to people of some of the things that will be held in relation to the festival that will actually start next week, leading up to the Foothills Festival weekend itself.

* On Saturday, October 11, the annual Foothills Baby Show will be featured at the Clinton County High School gymnasium for both in and out-of-county residents. Entry fee is $10, with a late fee of $15. The show begins at 10 a.m. with registration at 9 a.m. Admission is $2. The contact person for information on the baby show is Rose Hunter at 606-306-2466.

* The following day, Sunday, October 12 pre-festival festivities move to the Clinton County Learning Center and will be something of a joint event, including old time gospel singing at 1:30 p.m. There will also be a pumpkin walk at the same hour. The contact person for the gospel music is Ricky Brown at 606-387-9187.

The annual Second Sunday Health Fair will get underway at 1 p.m. at the Learning Center.

The Second Sunday event will include walking trails, physical activities, health information, blood pressure checks and inflatables for the children. In addition, the Early Childhood Council will be sponsoring a PAL (Play and Learn) event with hands-on learning activities for children up to age eight.

For more information about the Second Sunday Health Fair, you may call the Clinton County Extension Office at 606-387-5404.

* A primary kick-off to the main weekend, the annual Foothills Festival beauty pageants, will take place on Thursday night, October 16 for both in and out-of-county residents. Admission will be $3 and will also be held at the Clinton County Learning Center. There will be five age categories and all registration fees must be received by Tuesday, October 14. The contact person for the pageants is Kimberly Stockon at 606-688-0400.

The window display contest, open to all merchants in the city limits, will take place Thursday night, October 16. The theme for the displays (as well as parade floats) is “Autumn Glory.” The contact person for the window displays is Mary Pennycuff at 606-387-7054.

(A complete guide to the 2014 Foothills Festival will be included in the Clinton County News annual section to be published October 9.)