When: Wed. December 31, 1969 6:00 PM

Live music, pumpkin painting, a Parade of Costumes, and an auction will highlight the 6th Annual Rural Preservation Party & Auction. This year’s event is set for Saturday, October 27, from 3:30-7pm at the Kelmont Farm Barnyard, 1565 E. Brown School Road in Maryville.

"We're looking forward to CAPPE's 6th Annual Rural Preservation Party & Auction," said Bill Busser. "We moved the event to the fall so that we could have a harvest theme.”

“Everyone will enjoy this year's activities,” said Mike Cook. "We’ll hear from Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, enjoy pumpkin painting and cakewalks, returning folksinger and guitarist Errol Glustoff, and local favorites The Woodpickers. We invite all ages to take part in the Parade of Costumes at 5pm.”

"There is growing interest across Blount County in developing programs to protect agricultural land,” added Susan Keller. “The recent well-attended public workshop with Gerry Cohn of American Farmland Trust focused on the contribution agriculture makes to our local economy. The Rural Preservation Party is about more than the past – it is also about the present and the future of Blount County.”

For youngsters, activities include pumpkin painting, hay rides, face painting, a 'duck pond' with prizes for catching the ducks, and the Parade of Costumes. Free facials are being provided by April Parks, owner of Elligance Salon.

The auction preview begins at 3:30pm, with the live auction at 6:00pm after the entertainment. Auction items include gift certificates from area restaurants, veterinarian services, limited edition prints by Janacek, original artwork, pet boarding and grooming, a hand-made lap quilt, bed comforter set, History of Blount County by Dean Stone, restaurant hot tray, bakery gift basket, dollhouses, therapeutic massage gift certificates, an overnight in Gatlinburg, a weather forecast station and more.

"The bake sale is always popular," added Keller. "Everything is home-made. There will be home made bread and lots of different kinds of cookies, cakes and pies. Sandwiches and cold drinks will also be available."

CAPPE is a non-profit organization of Blount County residents concerned about the impacts of the proposed Pellissippi Parkway Extension. For more information, call Susan Keller at 982 4267 or Mike Cook at 984 9003.