AMERICUS — With the first hint fall in this cool days, it’s time again for the Georgia Pecan Festival.

The festival kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday with the 5K Road Race. The 1 Mile Fun Run begins at 9 a.m., and vendors will open at that time, as well.

This year’s Grand Marshals for the parade are Sumter Regional Hospital President & CEO David Seagraves, Americus Police Chief James Green, Sumter County Sheriff Pete Smith and Americus Fire and Emergency Services Chief Allen Erkhart.

“When we choose a grand marshal, it is someone who shows strong dedication and commitment to the citizens of Sumter County,” said Rachael Gresham, with the Americus-Sumter Chamber of Commerce. “Who can deny the fact they did just that during the tornado?”

The marshals will be followed by the Georgia Pecan Festival King and Queen and the Georgia Pecan Festival Prince and Princess.

Gresham said it would be impossible to get every hospital staff member, every police officer, every sheriff’s deputy and every firefighter in the parade as grand marshals, so the heads of these agencies were chosen, Gresham explained. The parade begins at 11 a.m.

Those wishing to participate in the day’s contests will need to sign up at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Gresham said.

“We’re having a live concert with Double Dare at 1 p.m.,” she said. “At 3 p.m., we’re having the Victor Green Youth Talent Expo.”

Of the Youth Expo, Gresham said all youth are encouraged to participate and show their talents.

“We’re having a bungie race sponsored by the Space Walk of Americus,” she said. This event is for teenagers and adults only.

“Then, we’ll have the usual stuff for kids,” she said. “We have Doonbuggy the Clown, a national clown instructor. We will have stilt walkers and antique tractors.”

She said most of these events will occur on the lower level of Rylander Park near Hampton Street and the Farmer’s Market.

Gresham said there will also be a Best Pecan Pie contest and a Best Recipe Using Pecans contest.

These days, festivals in Sumter County are not complete without rides on the SAM Shortline Excursion Train. Saturday’s train ride to Plains will include entertainment, and tickets are $6 for coach and $10 for premium seats.

Also, the Southern Gunslingers will perform at the festival.

“We have lots of great food and craft vendors,” Gresham said. “Some are new, but we have a lot of returning vendors.”

She said people from as far away as Illinois are expected to enter the races, and vendors will come from as far away as North Carolina.

Gresham said applications for parade entries need to be turned in by noon Wednesday, and applications for craft vendors need to be in by 5 p.m. Thursday.

Participants in the Road Race can register prior to the race at the Chamber office, or the morning of the race.

“We want to thank the committee, GSW SIFE (Students in Free Enterprise), and David Finley, our emcee, as well as the culinary arts students at South Georgia Technical College,” Gresham said. She said the students may judge the recipes.