MAGNOLIA SPRINGS, Ala. — An overcast sky and threat of rain didn’t dampen festivities in Magnolia Springs on Saturday. Instead, both the ninth annual Magnolia Run and the second annual Magnolia Springs Seafood Festival went ahead as planned.

Activities started Saturday morning at Jesse’s Restaurant with the 8 a.m. start of the Magnolia Run’s 5K Run, which was followed up an hour later by the event’s 1-Mile Fun Run.

The morning was filled with running enthusiasts who were treated to beans and rice, water, oranges and goody bags from South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and South Baldwin Regional Medical Center, co-sponsors of the event, as well as the chance to vie for trophies and win door prizes.

With approximately 175 participants pre-registering for the races and an estimate of 275 runners overall, South Baldwin CEO Keith Newton deemed the yearly event a success.

“I think it’s gone wonderfully,” he said at the Run. “We’ve got everyone from young children to older folks.”

That range is exemplified by the Maulden family from Elberta, who appreciate the trek through historic Magnolia Springs, as well as the race’s additional benefits.

“Just for the health of it,” said Erin Maulden, as she and husband Richard and their 13-year-old daughter Taylor caught their breath following the 5K, “and it’s mostly fun. Plus, when you get a bunch of people, it makes something like this easier.”

Right on the heels of the Run was the second annual Magnolia Springs Seafood Festival, a fundraiser benefitting the revitalization of the Magnolia Springs Community Hall.

According to Event Coordinator Eddie Sue Winter, Saturday’s festival was a labor of love.

“This is all based on volunteer support,” she said Saturday.

Winter added that the festival was developed last year by the Magnolia Springs Community Association in an effort to raise the $250,000 needed to refurbish the community hall, which was built in 1898.

“We all help take care of it,” she said.

To gain entrance to the festival, attendees paid a $30 fee, which enabled them to try samples of various seafood dishes provided by participating restaurants, as well as wine, beer and soft drinks. Among the delicacies were shrimp, seafood bisque and crawfish.

In addition, a variety of vendors were on hand with games and items available for purchase. Plus, live entertainment was provided throughout the day, and Strays for Adoption had animals available to adopt.