The 2017 Martin County Fair has come and gone, children are preparing to go back to school and the days are growing shorter.

Most of us aren’t ready for the close of summer, and therein lies some good news. Thanks to some of Ceylon’s hard-working residents, there will be another chance to enjoy some traditional summertime activities.

Starting 10 a.m. Saturday at the park in Ceylon, the first Ceylon Festival will begin.

Barb Kronback and Angie Thompson, two of the people helping organize the event, were available to give some details on what the day has in store, as well as how and why it got started.

“It’s been something that was talked about for a while, and there were some City Council meetings last fall, but that never really went anywhere,” Kronback said. “So it’s just been the last month and a half where I and Angie got onto the committee, and things just took off.”

“Everything is being done to raise money for playground equipment,” she continued. “We want to get new stuff, and figure out new ground cover.”

As for what to expect, there will be much to do, so visitors are invited to come check out the festivities.

“We’re going to have bouncy houses, we’re going to have Heart Song singing, and a car and tractor show,” Kronback said. “All the main things are going to be in the park, including food vendors. We’re going to have Eats and Treats, which is a hot dog food truck, and they and they’re bringing ribs and chicken too.”

“We’re going to have RJ’s Kettle Corn and he will have treats and onion rings, and we’re also going to have Hawaiian shaved ice coming. We’ll also have ice cream and mini donuts, caramel apples and lemonade,” she continued. “We’ll also be selling cookies and pop and water in the park.”

Kronback said one of the big events is a silent auction including 60 items.

“There will also be a vendor show going on, and we’ll have first and second place for four categories,” she said. “Fairmont Awards is donating for one category, and D&S Trophies is doing another set. Dana Moeding is sponsoring the others.”

Other activities will include a dunk tank, petting zoo, various games and activities, a car/tractor/motorcycle/semi show, and a parade. Kronback said the parade is about 50 units strong, an impressive feat for small town, given the short amount of time in which it was pulled together.

The women say there has been a lot of good support from area businesses and the community.

After the parade, which begins at 3 p.m., Legends II will serve a pork loin meal and people will be able to hear the music of Lance Shultz, who is being sponsored by the Ceylon Fire Relief Association.

Looking ahead, Thompson noted they are already in the planning stages for 2018.

“As soon as we get done with this one, we’re going to take a month’s break and then start planning for the next one, instead of having it done in less than two months,” she said. “I won’t do that again,” she shared with a laugh. “We’re doing it for a good cause, and we encourage everybody in the area to come.”