The fourth annual Neelyville Tiger Fest will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday with a day full of fun and food at the school's campus.
"Tiger Fest is a chance for the school and community to intermingle as well as giving an opportunity for fun and fundraising," Neelyville High School cheerleading coach Brandi Lumby said. "The event is open to all. We invite the community and surrounding communities to attend."
Families will have plenty of options to satisfy their appetites and keep busy throughout the day with approximately 35 booths ranging from food to games.
Attendees will have the opportunity to listen to music, have photos taken with exotic animals, jump in a bouncy house, soak a friend in the dunking booth, collide in Thunder Balls, play some basketball, browse craft booths and much more.
A K-12 art show will also be held as well as an elementary pumpkin decorating contest to highlight artistic talents of the students.
"The parents and community are encouraged to come out and be proud of the accomplishments of our students as they see art work, pumpkin characters, Halloween costumes, talent, poise and the great courage it takes to showcase these," Hillview Elementary Assistant Principal Debra Parish said.
Art winners will be presented on stage around 10:10 a.m. followed by story time on the stage for all kids.
A children's costume contest will take place at 10:30 a.m. at the high school. Age categories include birth through early childhood and Pre-K, kindergarten through second, third through sixth and seventh through 12th. Ribbons will be awarded for the funniest, scariest, most original/homemade and most authentic costumes. Overall prizes for first place will win $25, $15 for second and $5 for third place.
A new addition to Tiger Fest this year will be a Lip Sync Battle beginning at noon and open to the public with cash prizes. Anyone interested in participating should contact Parish at 573-989-3370 or Jennifer Barker at 573-989-3815. Costumes, props and music are required. First place will take home $200, second place will win $100 and $50 for third.
Neelyville junior high and high school students will also be vying for the title of Mr. and Miss Tiger Fest around 1 p.m.
"Students are nominated by their peers to represent their class, sport or club and then they compete in different divisions," Lumby said.
Scores will be tallied by the student's grade-point average, sash, appearance, question and answer and a 30-second introduction.
A unique event at Tiger Fest will be the "Donkey Drop" hosted by the high school cheerleaders.
During the Donkey Drop, participants will purchase squares for $10 each and the winner is named when the donkey "drops" inside someone's square.
The winner will claim 10 percent of the pot, estimated at $150, Lumby said.
Tiger Fest began four years ago, Lumby said, when the community Harvest Festival disbanded and the school wanted to create something for the community to enjoy.
"Tiger Fest is a great opportunity for the school and community to build a stronger relationship," Parish said. "We teach our students that our mission is 'TIGERS: Together Inspiring Growth Ensuring Repeated Success.' The students learn that everyone living, having a business, working and attending school in the Neelyville R-IV School District has to work together to make our school the best that it can be."