Enjoy food, music, crafts, games and contests for kids, racing pigs and more at HollyFest, a fall tradition in Holly Springs on Saturday, Oct. 31. The festival runs from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. in Womble Park. Admission to the festival is free.

This year's HollyFest has two new features-a children's costume contest and a pumpkin carving contest.

"We are very excited that this year's event coincides with Halloween," said Julia Meder, festival coordinator. "This enables us to add to the festivities and fun by including new events like our children's costume contest and pumpkin carving contest."

The Holly Springs High School marching band will kick off the event by marching into Hollyfest at 10 a.m. A ceremony marking the start of the Hunt Community Center project will be held at 12:40 p.m. at the Womble Park band shell.

Children 12 and under may enter the costume contest, which begins at 2:10 p.m. at the band shell. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded. All participants will receive a ribbon.

The carving contest will be open to all ages. Drop off your pumpkin at the registration table near the band shell before noon. Pumpkins will be on display from noon until 2 p.m. People at the festival will choose the first-place winner, who will be announced after the costume contest.

Other HollyFest attractions include a sword-fighting exhibition by the pirates of the Shadow Players Stage Combat Group.

The Holly Springs Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a business expo at HollyFest, enabling businesses to showcase products and services. Various nonprofit organizations will also be at HollyFest to share their mission.

Registration is under way for the annual HollyFest 5K at Womble Park. The race starts at 9 a.m. the day of the festival. A free 1-mile fitness walk and free "tot trot" follow shortly afterward.