BOYKINS—If it’s October in Boykins, then that means the time has come for the annual PumpkinFest.

With a hopeful forecast of only partly cloudy skies and highs in the 70s this Saturday, the event organizers are looking forward to the third annual event being “bigger and better” than before.

Presented by the Boykins Main Street Initiative and the Town of Boykins, the festival will last from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Denise Bynum, a member of BMSI, is again serving as event chairwoman, and is looking forward to it all.

“There’ll be more food and craft vendors. We’re steadily taking them, even though the event is Saturday,” Bynum said. “We expect a big festival.”

There will be two Kids Zones, one toward the car show and another toward the middle of town, she added.

“There’s something for everyone to do,” said Bynum. “We’re just every excited about doing the festival. It helps bring the town together and people from other areas. It’ll be bigger and better, you know.”

Eric Coard, chairman of the inaugural event, also predicts a large attendance this weekend.

“It’s getting a little bigger every year. We’ve got a lot of vendors this year and a lot of different games,” said Coard. “We believe there was over 3,000 visitors last year, and the first year projected over 3,000.”

To draw people in, he added, there’s been “a lot of additional promotion. We’ve gone crazy with promotions, posters and flyers.”

Coard said the festival is still looking for a few last-minute talent entries. Go to the website at www.BoykinsVirginia.com to register and for more details. That show begins at 5 p.m. and continues until the last contestant performs. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places.

Shiloh won’t be able to make the festival this year, said Coard, who added that the Pumpkin Chunkin has also been scratched out.

A petting zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pony rides and hayrides start at 10 a.m. and continue to 4 p.m.

Live music will be featured from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Cumberland Millwork Stage. The State Line Band, Hammerhead Blues and Rachel Hancock are scheduled to perform.

From 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., people can guess the weight of a pumpkin, with a prize awarded at the festival’s end. Guess the number of pumpkin seeds is another contest. That winner will be recognized during the talent show.

Cake and cookie walks in front the main stage will take place every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Pumpkin Bake-Off is 10 to 11 a.m.

Antique cars and tractors will be displayed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Tickets for a 50/50 drawing will be sold through the day,, and the winner also announced at the talent show.

Free face painting and temporary tattoos will be offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

After all that fun, there’s still the PumpkinFest Dance. That will be from 7 to 11 p.m. in the firehouse. The State Line Band will perform.

For more information, visit www.BoykinsVirginia.com.