Music, entertainment, arts, crafts and food will fill downtownBrookhaven as the 26th Annual Cellular South-Ericsson Ole BrookFestival kicks off at 6 p.m. today.

Despite heavy rainfall Friday, all activities will continuetonight and Saturday, according to Ole Brook officials.

“We are going to go on the assumption that it’s going to blowover,” said Ole Brook Chairman John Chance.

If rain is prevalent, activities will be moved to the LincolnCounty Multi-Use Building on Belt Line Road, said Chance.

Gospel singing will start the festival as local singers take thestage behind the log cabin from 6-8:30 p.m. They will be followedby the Bluz Boys band, which will carry tunes through the historicdowntown area until midnight from the stage in front of the InezHotel.

Chance believes the many entertainers will bring lots of fun aspart of the street dance, a new addition to the Ole BrookFestival.

“We’re lucky to be able to have the Bluz Boys come toBrookhaven,” he said, adding that all concerts are free.

Saturday’s events begin at 8 a.m. with the Ole Brook 5K Run andWalk through Brookhaven.

“People can register that morning before the run,” said Chance.”It won’t be too late.”

Over 100 vendors with a variety of arts, crafts and food willhave booths set up from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday The flea market,along with many of the other events, will be held in the areabetween Whitworth Avenue and Railroad Avenue.

Children will have a special area where they can play games,have their faces painted and jump in space walks, added Chance.

Entertainment will begin at 9 a.m. with a variety of artists. Ahealth fair in the lobby of Trustmark National Bank will begin at 9a.m. and last until 4 p.m.

“They’ll have free blood pressure screening, door prizes andseveral topics will be discussed,” said Chance.

Antique vehicles, tractors and engines will be on displaythroughout the day. Horse drawn carriage rides will also beavailable. The aroma of food will fill the area around lunch as theannual cooking contest begins.

“They’ve added a new category to the cook off this year,” saidChance. “It’s now the Pork, Beef, Chicken, Chili Cook Off, and theprize money has been doubled.”

Pork judging will begin at 1 p.m., beef at 1:30 p.m., chicken at2 p.m., chili at 2:30 p.m., with the winners being announced at 3p.m.

Another change in this year’s festival will be special T-shirtsdesigned to promote the historic downtown area. The commemorativeT-shirts will feature the work of local artist, Dr. KimSessums.

Chance believes the many changes in this year’s festival willprove to be beneficial. He has received positive response about thechanges from many Brookhaven residents.

“We’re looking for a successful year,” he said. “We plan ongetting bigger and better every year and growing through thedowntown area.”

Ole Brook officials hope to eventually move part of the festivalto the Whitworth College campus, where it originated.