ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Looking for a family outing that combines a lot of fun with a little learning for the youngsters? Want to know that your money is going to a good cause? Want to meet your friends and neighbors for a few laughs and some great fair food?

Then mark your calendars for Oct. 4 and head to Honeybee Park along Highway 59 in Robertsdale. The 19th edition of the annual Honeybee Festival will kick off at 8 a.m. that morning.

But, bring your earplugs.

“We always start with a parade,” said Bert Campbell, treasurer for the City of Robertsdale Volunteer Fire Department, and the purchasing agent for the city, adding that while they have a band or two lined up, the bulk of the parade will be fire apparatus from surrounding communities that will proceed along Highway 59 to the park.

With sirens at top volume, of course.

The parade starts at around 9 a.m. After the parade, there is live entertainment, which Campbell says will begin with “a youth group and individual singers from the area.”

According to Campbell, the department will debut its brand-new $320,000 rescue pumper at the parade.

“This will be the first look a lot of people will have of it,” said Campbell. “People will want to get there early to get a good seat for the parade.”

But, many of the festival’s 2,000 visitors come to see the variety of arts and crafts booths, and to enjoy the children's activities such as a small train, a petting zoo and a bounce house, or what Campbell calls “A jumpy thing.”

One of the best parts of the festival is the parade, Campbell added.

“It gives people a chance to see what their tax dollars are paying for,” he said.

Admission to the fair is free.

At noon, the activity on the stage gives way to an auction of “unusual, new or gently used items,” according to Campbell. The entertainment resumes after the auction.

“We have had everything from furniture to knick-knacks,” said Campbell. If you have an item to donate, call Campbell at 947-8950.

The auctioneer is someone familiar with the department. For the third year, the auctioneer will be Robertsdale Fire Chief John Lucas. Campbell added that Lucas will have help from a few well-known locals.

Members of the Robertsdale Volunteer Fire Department will be on hand to show off the apparatus and to answer questions about the department and give a few safety tips. Campbell’s wife, Tammy, will be on hand, but it might take a sharp eye to spot her – at least part of the time she will be wearing a costume that makes her look like a “fire house dog,” a Dalmatian.

“We do a little fire safety,” said Campbell, “but our focus is on entertainment, to meet and shake hands with people.” He added that members of the department will be going to area schools during October, National Fire Safety month.

Making friends, and getting to know community member, Campbell pointed out can be important when called to the scene of a fire, or an accident.

Funds from the Honeybee festival aren’t restricted the same way tax monies are, and Campbell says that department has good uses for the funds.

“We often hold a quarterly dinner, and sometimes we use the money to send flowers to a (member of the department’s) friend or relative when warranted. This is a 100 per cent volunteer organization. We like to help the community. We also do a hot dog dinner for The Lighthouse. This is our only fundraiser.”