Families looking for a day of games, food, fun and entertainment head to Saunders Parkway Marina at "The Point" each autumn for the Smith Mountain Lake Fall Festival. The 2007 festival will be the 15th annual, held on Saturday, Oct. 13th.

There is no entrance fee to the event, which will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is expected to draw more than 4,000 people. - Please Note:  No Pets Allowed -

The festival is organized by the White House Association and raises money for the Saunders Volunteer Fire Company, Smith Mountain Ruritans, Mentow Baptist Church Youth Group, Huddleston Rescue Squad and various other charities that need help throughout the year, according to association president Barbara Barnes.

"We're a group of about 45 business people who all want to help out," Barnes said. "Everyone is so great about giving us discounts and donating things so we can raise as much money as possible. The community really comes together for this." The festival will feature a flea market, bake sale, arts and crafts vendors, and food and drink booths. Cars owned by members of the Star City T-birds will be on display as well as antique boats, trucks, tractors and hot rods.

At last year's event, children's activities included two new blowup bouncers ­ the Jurassic Park Moonwalk and the Galaxy E ­ as well as the return of the Obstacle Challenge "which everyone loved last year," Barnes said. Other activities in the children's park included a carousel, balloon dart game, ring toss, frog launcher, cakewalk, Frisbee throw and dunking booth.

Entertainment for the day started at 11 a.m. with a performance by the Smith Mountain Lake Harmeneers, followed by Dave Owens and Tom Abel at noon and the "womanless beauty contest" at 1 p.m. Winners of various contests and raffles throughout the day were announced at 4 p.m.

Vendors interested in participating may reserve space ($30) by calling Chuck at 297.9321 or Barbara Barnes at 297.4614 before Oct. 6. Parkway Marina is located at the end of Rt. 626 (SML Parkway), past the Smith Mountain Lake State Park.