By Greg Ellison, Staff Writer (Oct. 12, 2017) Downtown Pocomoke will be inundated with costumed children and autumn-themed activities during the 7th annual Fall Festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Downtown Pocomoke Association sponsors the family-friendly event, which will include a children’s costume contest. Awards will be given and judging begins at 2:30 p.m. Registration runs from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. Pocomoke Economic Development Coordinator Karah Lacey said the contest categories have been updated this year. “We usually do five separate categories [including] cutest, scariest, most creative and best overall,” she said. “We’re adding a group category this year based on last year’s entries.” Lacey said the outdoor block-party, which encompasses all of downtown, includes an array of no-cost activities, including: hay rides, horse and pony rides, a corn pit, pumpkin painting, kid tattoos and sidewalk chalk art. “That’s the big key … we don’t want to have to put a cost on things,” she said. “This is the downtown merchants giving back to the community with the festival.” To get a jump-start on stockpiling candy for Halloween, children can put those costumes to good use by trick-or-treating at numerous participating businesses. In addition to sweets, children can also take part in the “Passport to Pocomoke” game by visiting the Enchanted Florist for a blank passport. Children can get their passport stamped at downtown shops and completed forms can be exchanged for a free ticket to a performance at the Mar-Va Theater. Parents and children can indulge in a bit of Eastern Shore culture as local museums, including the Delmarva Discovery Center, the Costen House and the Sturgis One-Room School & Heritage House will be admission free during the festival. Hot rod enthusiasts will be treated to a slew of neck-turning high-octane visuals during an antique car show sponsored by the Eastern Shore Cruisers Car Club. Vehicles will be displayed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the parking lot at Cypress Park. Registration is day-of and cost $10 for club members and $15 for nonmembers. The first 50 entries receive a free dash plaque and 42 trophies will be awarded. Parents can bond with their children and perhaps give a few angling tips, during the “Hook’d on Fishin’”program from 12-3 p.m. at the Cypress Park docks. Equipment and supplies will be provided at no cost. Entertainment is also on tap including a performance by the Pocomoke Middle School Choir. Local musical talents Keily Wolff and Sarah Kutchey will each play sets. The streets will also come alive with shuffling feet and tapping toes as both Feet of Fire and All About Dance Academy give special dance performances. Also Pocomoke Karate & Judo will provide a martial arts demonstration. Although the event is largely free, Lacey said attendees might want to bring their wallets, as numerous sidewalk vendors will offer items for purchase. Food and beverages will also be for sale, with the funds supporting a number of local nonprofit organizations. Abundant Life Apostolic Church will have hot dogs, burgers, fries and beverages for sale. The Pocomoke Rotary Club will be selling fried oyster sandwiches and the Junior Women’s Club of Pocomoke City will be vending funnel cake fries and fried Oreos. In the event of inclement weather, the festival will be rescheduled for the following Saturday, Oct. 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.