The 2011 Molena Fest will take place Saturday in downtown Molena. The annual event, which is spearheaded by the Molena Civic Club, will once again feature food, arts and crafts, and entertainment.

The day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with a 5K run that will benefit the Pike County Christian Outreach Center. Throughout the day, a number of musical acts will be performing, with genres ranging from Southern gospel to Christian rock to alternative rock.

Local vendors will offer a variety of food items, including barbecue turkey sandwiches, fish, chicken, fried pies and baked goods. There will be a pie-eating contest beginning at 1:30 p.m.

Aside from the event’s parade at 11 a.m., another highlight of the 2011 Molena Fest will be the Tug of War, a rope-pulling contest in which teams of about five will be competing against each other from both ends of the rope.

The event is scheduled to conclude at 4 p.m. that day.

“It’s just a fun thing. We have lots of people who grew up around here, and they come back for the event,” said Molena Civic Club President Jean Callaway, adding that while admission to the event is free, any money raised will benefit the city of Molena. “We are just encouraging people to come, have a good time and visit old friends.”