Organizers have planned "a fun weekend in the country" for the 12th annual Lambton Film & Food Festival in Forest.
The community event will kick off on Thursday, May 28, at the historic Kineto Theatre with the youth film competition. Kiwanis Club member Ruth Ilman said they received about 15 submissions this year.
"We're really excited about that because we were fortunate to have Leigh George [and Aaron George] from Kettle Point Productions go into some of the elementary schools and a couple of after-school programs here in the community, and do a workshop," Ilman said.
The screening will begin at 6 p.m.
On Friday, area students from Kinnwood Central School, St. John Fisher Catholic School, and Bosanquet Central Public School will decorate King Street West with chalk art.
"They've already practiced their drawings, they'll recreate them on the street," Ilman said. "Then, we always look forward to having a couple of the nursery school -- Early Years groups in town. All the little ones will get a little piece of chalk, and they can go ahead and craft their own little design."
In addition, Ilman said students will be able to watch old-fashioned comedy short films. Chalk Art Fest will run from 9:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.
Festivities will continue Friday evening with a ticketed gala from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ilman said in past years, the gourmet dinner would be held ahead of the festival, but it was scheduled differently this year based on feedback.
On Saturday, the festival will offer a full day of activities, starting with a street market in downtown Forest from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
"We have the junior curling club, they're setting up a breakfast. We have Lizzy's from Thedford will be on the street with food during the day," Ilman said. "Then we set up for the evening street party, which goes from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m."
Ilman said they have two bands scheduled to perform during the evening street festival, and there will be four on-site food vendors.
This will be the second time a street party is held as part of the festival. Ilman said they're always looking at ways to improve the event and attract more people.
"We're looking forward to a great weekend," she said.
Meanwhile, the Kineto Theatre will show several award-winning movies throughout the weekend. A full schedule can be found on the Kineto theatre's website.
