Yes, the temperatures are dropping, the days are shorter and already there is talk of that first frost that is a possibility any morning now.

A quick look across the hillsides also shows just a hint of color in the leaves as the surrounding trees appear just ready to jump into full blown autumn mode.

With all of those indications that Albany and Clinton County is clearly now well into the third of the four annual seasons, it’s also clear that thoughts are beginning to turn toward the season’s most anxiously awaited public event – the annual Foothills Festival.

Wait no longer – the first of this year’s scheduled happenings take place this weekend.

Although the bulk of the 2014 Foothills Festival slate of activites and contests won’t be taking place for yet another full week, there are a few events – three to be exact – that are on tap for this weekend to get the 2014 celebration off an running

Beginning with Saturday’s annual Foothills Festival Baby Show held at the Clinton County High School, this year’s show begins with registration at 9:00 a.m. and a scheduled show start at 10:00 a.m.

On Sunday, the early events continue with a pair of happenings, both centered at the Clinton County Learning Center.

The annual Foothills Old Time Gospel Singing will once again be held at the Learning Center beginning at 1:30 p.m., and event organizer Ricky Brown, a gospel music entertainer himself, has put together yet another fantascit lineup of regional and local names.

A free event that always provides great musical acts and fellowship.

At about the same time, getting underway at 1:00 p.m., the Clinton County Extension Office and Health Coalition is once again putting on an event that focuses on our health.

Second Sunday will also be held at the Clinton County Learning Center, and will feature walking trails, physical activities, health information, blood pressure checks, and inflatables.

The Early Childhood Council will also be sponsoring a Play and Learn (PAL) event with hands-on learning activities for children up to age eight.

Of course these pre-Foothills events are designed to put us in the mood for what is on the way for the main weekend lineup of events for the Octobert 16-18 portion of the Festival schedule.

With that in mind, the Clinton County News is proud to once again bring our readers its annual Foothills Festival special section.

Included in this week’s newspaper, the Foothills Festival section is chock full of event descriptions, schedules, band profiles, contest details and of course a host of photographs reminding everyone of all the fun we had last year – and inviting the local Foothills fans, as well as those from across the region to come on out and get in on the fun.

Traditionally, it’s the last outdoor gathering before colder winter sets in, and it looks like the surrounding mountains are going to once again be alive in color – just in time to put us in the Foothills Festival celebratory mood.

We hope you find this year’s special Foothills Section preview section both informative, and entertaining.

Enjoy the events on hand for the next two weekends, and as always, remember to . . .

Come See It Our Way!