Ellington

Rev. Keith Tonkel considers WellsFest a love-fest for the community. Tonkel, Wells Memorial United Methodist Church pastor since 1969, says the 28-year tradition is a "gift of love" to the community and to the nonprofits that WellsFest benefits.

Live music from local bands is the sound track for an expanded arts and crafts venue and a day of family fun, including a 5K run and walk. Children's activities are the highlight of the day with a pet parade, face painting, pony rides and a rock-climbing wall. The event provides an alcohol and drug-free atmosphere.

The 28th WellsFest is 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 24 at Jamie Fowler Boyll Park next to Smith-Wills Stadium on Lakeland Drive. All proceeds go to The Mustard Seed, a local non-profit organization that helps adults with developmental disabilities. The support from WellsFest will allow the Mustard Seed to expand its ceramics studio and activity center.

Special ceramics produced for WellsFest include shoes for the 5K run and walk awards, bowls for the pet-parade winners, coffee mugs for sale in the coffeehouse and flowerpots for the gardening booth.

The Mustard Seed also will have a booth at WellsFest for the many other ceramic items created by residents.

For information about WellsFest, call 601-353-0658, visit http://www.wellsfest.org or visit the WellsFest Facebook page.