The 13th annual Fall Harvest Festival, organized by the Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce Merchants Committee, will take place in the downtown area on Oct. 4 starting at 10 a.m. and concluding at 3 p.m.

Entertainment for the event will feature performances from the Optimist Cheerleaders, the HulaGirl, Rattlesnake Creek and for the kids, Don's Mini Train.

The festival will include a chili cook-off. Entries for the chili cook-off will be located at participating businesses during the festival.

The first prize in the commercial division is $50 in Chamber Bucks. The first prize in the independent division will be $25 in Chamber Bucks, plus a gift bag.

The deadline to enter the cook-off is Friday, Sept. 26. For more information contact the Chamber at 587-4334.

The Mountain Home Historical Museum will be holding hayrides and a historical harvest display at 11 a.m.

On Oct. 3-4, the Mountain Home Youth Ranch and McDonald's will sponsor a pumpkin painting contest. Judging for the contest will take place at the Youth Ranch starting at 1 p.m. on Oct. 4. The contest will award prizes for different age groups.

On Oct. 4 at 4 p.m., the Elks Lodge will hold Oktoberfest at the Elks, where brauts, hamburgers and beverages will be served. Tickets for Oktoberfest will be sold at the Lodge for $5. Elks and their guests are invited.