“Saturday is our big day,” Upton said. “We are expecting to have a large crowd this year. ... Our crowd grows each year.”

Among Saturday’s activities will be the 10 a.m. mull pull, the 1 p.m. log-cutting contest and the 2:30 p.m. Bayless Pie Eating Contest and the 3 p.m. Watermelon Eating Contest. The sack race will be at 3:30 p.m. with the Melon Roll at 5 p.m. followed by the Rooster Contest at 5:30 p.m.

Upton said musical entertainment on Saturday will include the Ruckus, a local band from Bay Springs, and the Back Roads, a well-known local group. She said the headliner for the festival will be Ricochet, a nationally-known country music band.

Upton said a new highlight for this year will be Dunebuggy the Clown, a professional clown with the Peanut Circus Shows of Georgia.

“He will be doing tricks in the crowd and doing some shows,” Upton said. “It should be an exciting time for all.”

Upton said souvenirs are available as local artists from around the state gather to display their arts and crafts for sell in the many booths.

She said one of the city’s garden clubs will also be conducting a fundraiser by selling Bay Fest t-shirts during the event.

Anyone wanting more information about the event can call (601) 764-4112.