The community is invited to mark their calendars for the fifth annual Columbus Farm Festival set for Saturday, Oct. 5.

This event celebrates the past, present and future contributions that agriculture has made to the development of Polk County. The celebration will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The festival will be held in downtown Columbus and will feature kid games, farm animals, handmade crafts, farm equipment and the popular Columbus Tailgate Market. This year a Civil War exhibit will be set up with a vintage wagon on display. The House of Flags will be open for visitors during the day.

Polk County High School’s biodiesel wagon is scheduled to be on hand for folks to learn how used cooking oil is recycled into quality automobile diesel fuel. The local chapter of the Polk County High FFA program will have students on hand to help with the activities.

“We are excited about this opportunity to showcase our Columbus tailgate vendors and our agricultural history,” said Dawn Jordan, interim agricultural development director. “Folks should come spend the morning seeing what Polk County has to offer.”

Vendor spots are still being accepted from Polk County residents with products made or grown by the individual or organization. Copies of the application can be picked up at the Mill Spring Ag Center, Columbus Town Hall or Polk County Extension Center.

The Polk County Ag Economic Development Department, Town of Columbus and the Polk County Extension Center sponsor the event. The festival will take place rain or shine.

– article submitted by Sarah Gottfried