David W. Smith/ Daily News Mitch Cole from Bowling Green sniffs the award winning tobacco at the Logan County Tobacco Festival Saturday.

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Logan County will be a flurry of activity for the next week with the 53rd annual Tobacco & Heritage Festival.

The event kicks off with a Cougar Pancake Breakfast at 7 a.m. Saturday and includes a variety of events, including a Kiddie Parade, beauty contests, tours, music, concessions and Jesse James Bank Tours.

Festival chairwoman Patty Slaton said the event will feature new things this year.

“We’re able to use the new 4-H Extension Complex for a lot of events,” she said.

There will also be music and a movie at 6 p.m. Saturday at 4th Street Theatre, with the proceeds used for theater renovations, Slaton said. The Red River Fiddlers will perform at 6 p.m. followed by a showing of “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford” starring Brad Pitt at 7 p.m. Concessions will be available.

Two events that will return this year include the Blessing of the Animals at 4 p.m. Sunday and the Pet Show and Fair at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the extension complex.

“We had a tremendous response to that,” Slaton said. “We’re excited that they’re coming back this year.”

Some of the most popular events of the festival include the Little Mister & Miss Contest and the Miss Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival Pageant, Slaton said.

“We say that Logan County has the most beautiful children,” she said. “There is a lot of interest in that.”

There will also be fireworks at 8 p.m. Oct. 10 during the festival, Slaton said.

“I’m sure it will be seen for miles,” she said. “We’re crossing our fingers hoping for good weather.”

Slaton said the festival usually draws between 15,000 and 20,000 people each year.

“I think it’s more than just a parade. It’s a time for people to come back and revisit each other,” she said. “Most of the events are family-oriented. Traditions are steeped with pride, and community support is tremendous for this event.”

Slaton said she and the organizers are looking forward to the festival.

“We welcome everybody. We’re real proud of it,” she said. “We hope everybody gets a chance to come and enjoy some part of the festival.”

— For more information, call the Logan County Chamber of Commerce at (270) 726-2206.

Schedule of events:

Saturday

7 a.m.-11 a.m.: Cougar Pancake Breakfast, Logan County High School

8 a.m.: Jesse James 5 K Run/Walk, Russellville Recreation Center

8 a.m: Golf Scramble*, Rolling Hills Golf Course

10 a.m.: Road Rally*, City/County Park

11 a.m.: Kiddie Parade, Third and Main streets

11:30 a.m.: Kiddie Fun & Chalk It Up, Russellville Recreation Center

1 p.m.: Little Mister & Miss Contest*, deGraffenried Auditorium, Russellville High School

1 p.m.-3 p.m.: Adventure Walk, Baker Natural Area

2 p.m.: Hometown History Day, Bucksville

Afternoon: Russellville High School Show of Bands, Rhea Stadium

6 p.m.: Music and a Movie, 4th Street Theatre

Sunday

1 p.m.: Cornhole Tournament*, Extension Complex

2 p.m.: Historic Homes Walking Tour, Chamber of Commerce

4 p.m.: Blessing of the Animals, City/County Park

Monday

10 a.m.: Historic Business Walking Tour, Chamber of Commerce

10 a.m.: Windows on Display Judging*, Russellville Businesses

5:15 p.m.: Cemetery Tour, Maple Grove Cemetery

Tuesday

10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Tours of the Saddle Factory, Bibb House, African-American Heritage Center. Tours begin at Historic Russellville Center from Tuesday through Saturday

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Taster’s Luncheon, United Methodist Temple

2 p.m.: Historic Homes Walking Tour, Chamber of Commerce

5:15 p.m.: Cemetery Tour, Maple Grove Cemetery

6 p.m.: Pet Show and Fair, Extension Complex. Registration begins at 5 p.m.

Wednesday

8 a.m.-noon Family Health Fest 2009, Logan Memorial Hospital

10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: 4-H Fall Grill Fundraiser, Extension Complex

5 p.m.-10 p.m.: Carnival Rides, North Main Street behind McDonald’s

Oct. 8

2 p.m.: Historic Business Walking Tour, Chamber of Commerce

5 p.m.-10 p.m.: Carnival Rides, North Main Street behind McDonald’s

5:15 p.m.: Cemetery Tour, Maple Grove Cemetery

7 p.m.: Miss Logan County Tobacco & Heritage Festival Pageant*, deGraffenried Auditorium, Russellville High School

Oct. 9

7 a.m.- 10 a.m.: Tobacco Judging, Public Square

10 a.m.: Senior Stroll 1 Mile Walk*, Chamber of Commerce

11 a.m.- 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.- 5 p.m.: Trolley Rides, 4th Street Theatre

5 p.m.-10 p.m.: Carnival Rides, North Main Street behind McDonald’s

5 p.m.: Kiwanis Family Fun Night, Chamber of Commerce/Public Square

6 p.m.: Russellville Alumni Association Meet & Greet, First Southern National Bank Courtyard

7 p.m.-10 p.m.: “Rocktober” featuring Mudd River Union, Public Square

Oct. 10

6 a.m.-10 a.m.: Rotary Pancake Breakfast, First Baptist Church

9 a.m.-4 p.m.: Craft Show & Flea Market, courthouse lawn & parking lot

9:30 a.m.: Jesse James Bank Robbery Re-enactment, Sixth & Main streets

10:30 a.m.: Festival Parade*, Main & Fourth streets

noon-10 p.m.: Carnival Rides, North Main Street behind McDonald’s

8 p.m.: “Fire In The Sky” Fireworks Extravaganza, Extension Complex

Oct. 10 Entertainment at Center Stage - Public Square

Noon: Music by Andy & The Rockers

2 p.m: Outhouse Race*

2:30 p.m.: Music by Red River Fiddlers

3:30 p.m.: Line Dancing Performance

4 p.m.: Music by Kenny Stinson & Perfect Tym’n

5:30 p.m.: Karaoke Contest*

7:30 p.m.: Music by The Andy Miller Band

* Indicates pre-registration is required

Library events

Author Holly Goddard Jones, reading and book signing at noon Oct. 9

Justice Bill Cunningham speaking on Night Riders and the Tobacco Wars at 1 p.m. Oct. 10