Crisp, cool fall air, the threat of frost covered fields in the early morning hours and of course the change of the colors in the trees in these Appalachian mountains that make up the background of our surroundings.

All of those things combine to mean that fall is definitely upon us, and of course – the annual celebration known fondly as the Foothills Festival is here as well.

With the main lineup of events for this 33rd “Come See It Our Way” Foothills Festival is still over a week away, this coming weekend will offer a handful of pre-Foothills events that should serve to get things off to a smooth start, as well as whet the appetites of local Foothills fans.

As has been the case for several years now, this upcoming lineup of early events will include Saturday’s Foothills Baby Show, Sunday’s Foothills Gospel Singing and at the same time as the Sunday singing – the annual Clinton County Extension Service sponsored Health Fair will be on tap as well.

With Foothills goers getting warmed up this weekend, and already beginning to plan next weekend’s agenda, the Clinton County News is once again proud to offer to our readers, our annual special section that gives an in-depth look at the events, contests, and entertainment lineup the Foothills Festival Planning Committee has put together to keep everyone on the move throughout the entire schedule.

Although it was reported earlier in the year that due to a dwindling number of Planning Committee members the event itself was in danger of being eliminated, recent reports from the committee are that a host of new and energized Planning Committee members have joined in the efforts of putting on this year’s show, and the result should be a celebration that keeps everyone happy and on the move throughout the weekend.

For this coming weekend, the Foothills fun will get underway on Saturday, with the 10:00 a.m. start of the Foothills Festival Baby Show at the Clinton County High School.

Registration for the Foothills Baby Show gets underway at the high school at 9:00 a.m. Additional baby show details can be learned by contacting Rose Hunter (606-306-2466).

On Sunday (October 14), a host of fun-filled and health-minded events will be offered at the Mountain View Recreation park, including what has long been one of the best offerings of local and regional Gospel Music in the area.

Organizer Ricky Brown has once again put together a trio of acts for this year’s Foothills Old Time Gospel Singing event that includes one local favorite – Ronnie Pyles, and two regional well-known acts – the Fall Creek Boys from Monticello, Kentucky, and the Chimney Rock Boys from Somerset, Kentucky.

The Foothills Gospel Singing will get underway at 1:30 p.m. inside the fenced area at Mountain View Park, and of course the event is free of charge, with those attending needing only to bring a lawn chair or blanket – and a appetite for old fashioned gospel music.

While the Foothills Gospel Singing will keep the audience seated in front of the stage, there area other events slated to be held at Mountain View this Sunday that are designed to keep you healthy, active, safe and on the move.

The Second Sunday lineup, an effort being sponsored by the Clinton County Extension Service for the past several years as a part of a state-wide health conscious effort, will again be held in and around the Farmer’s Market building at Mountain View Park.

Combined with this year’s lineup will be the added “Pumpkin Walk” feature, with a host of local businesses and organizations set up around the walking track providing free treats and door prizes to those trekking the lap track in an effort to get or stay healthy.

Centered around a Safe Halloween theme – costumes for participants are optional, but would certainly lend a fun twist to the event.

Those attending will be offered the chance to walk around the track as part of the Second Sunday health conscious push, and while the Second Sunday lineup is free, pre-registration at a booth near the park entrance is requested by event organizers.

Also in conjunction with Sunday’s health minded lineup at Mountain View Park, will be the annual Health Fair, with a host of local health businesses and agencies offering health screenings that will include height and weight measurements, blood pressure, glucose and body mass index checks and much more.

Next week’s main lineup of Foothills Festival events will keep everyone on the move both Saturday and Sunday, and the offerings at this Sunday’s health-conscious outing offer a great way to get loosened up and in shape for a busy Foothills lineup.

Get out, get moving, get healthy and get loosened up for the Foothills Festival by attending this year’s Sunday lineup at the Mountain View Recreation Park.

Of course the main slate of offerings is coming at us with the Thursday, Friday and Saturday (October 18-20) Foothills Festival schedule – getting started with Thursday night’s lineup of pageants, all the way through to the Saturday night closing musical offerings featuring John Capps and Easton Bryant.

More about the main schedule in next week’s Clinton County News, but for now, grab the schedule, find a jacket and make plans to get things rolling this weekend, and get ready for a fun-filled week of contests, music, entertainment and of course – great food, when Albany and Clinton County invite the rest of the world to join us for our annual fall homecoming and celebration with the now 33 year-old invitation to . . .

Come See It Our Way!