Harvest festival time is just around the corner but Pike Countians don’t even have to wait that long to enjoy festival fun.

The 2018 Pike County United Appeal Kickoff on Saturday at Cattlemen Park has all the flavor of a fall festival and more.

The PCUA kickoff is a fundraiser for the 17 agencies that are supported by the local United Appeal and the money raised stays here at home to help friends and neighbors, said Jane Thrash, PCUA board president.

“We have a day of fun planned from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday that includes the presentation of Miss and Little Miss Pike County United Appeal, arts and crafts, games, entertainment by SheBANG! and two new events that are generating a lot for excitement.”

The PCUA signature event has been its chili cook-off but, this year, the board is in search of the “Master of the Grill.”

“We are looking for the man or woman who has mastered the art of grilling, either chicken or ribs,” Thrash said. “There will be two winners. We have four judges who will determine which competitor is the Master of the Grill. The Tasters’ Choice award will be voted on by those in attendance who sample the meats and vote on which they think is best.”

The Master of the Grill will receive a grill and a cash award. The Taster’s Choice winner will receive the PCUA Spatula Award.

Another new event at the PCUA Kickoff will be the Pig Drop.

Thrash said the Pig Drop is no different from cow paddy drop except for the dropper.

The pig participate was raised from a piglet by Brooklyn Moran, a 10-year-old member for the Troy Elementary School 4-H Club. Brooklyn’s pig won the lightweight division of the Pig Pen competition at the Pike County Fair on Thursday night.

Tickets for the Pig Drop will be available at Saturday’s kickoff event or from any PCUA board member: Thrash, Walt Ellis, Mac Holmes, Kayla Driggers, Ryann May, Bonnie Cannon, Katie Thomas, Jeff Cotton, Pete Jordan and Millie Jordan.

Admission to the PCUA 2018 Kickoff is $1 or an item to be donated for use by one of the PCUA agencies.  Thrash suggested canned meat, pasta and items for babies (diapers, bottles, blankets) and the elderly (blankets, lap pads, socks) and dog and cat foods.

The agencies that are supported by the Pike County United Appeal will have booths with information about their services.

“We invite everyone come out and enjoy the day with us and learn more about the 17 agencies that provide much needed services of many different kinds to the people of Pike County,” Thrash said.

The agencies supported by the PCUA are: American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts, Colley Senior Complex, East Central Mental Health, Easter Seals of Alabama, Girl Scouts, The House of Ruth, Humane Society of Pike County, Organized Community Action Program, Pike County 4-H, Pike County Child Advocacy Center, Pioneer Museum of Alabama, RSVP, Salvation Army, Sav-A-Life and Precious Paws.