Russell Springs first-ever Fall Fest is set to get underway Friday and will continue into Halloween on Main St., according to members of the city's downtown revitalization committee.

"We close the road Friday at 3 p.m. and don't reopen it until Saturday night around 10 p.m.," said city worker Jeremy Coffey.

The two-day event, which has been in the works for more than a year, will begin on Oct. 30 with Idol Fest, a combination singing and talent competition for different age groups.

Coffey said more than 20 food and craft vendors would be set up during the event, offering a variety of treats and goodies for those in attendance.

Idol Fest registration is slated for 5 p.m. on Friday with contestants taking the stage at the stop-light side of Main St.

Applications for Idol Fest can still be picked up at Russell Springs City Hall, The Main Event on Main St, or the offices of Laker Country 104.9 FM or 92.7 The Wave.

At 6 p.m. the Idol Fest competition begins, while the Main St. House of Horror begins at 6 p.m. in the old Ford garage across from The Main Event.

The highly successful House of Horror, developed by Pam Pierce and Aron Houdini, among others, opened earlier this month and runs through Halloween night, open until midnight each night of the Fall Fest. The cost of entrance is $5 per person and anyone under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult, organizers say.

"We've had a great turnout so far," Pierce said. "We appreciate everyone supporting the city. It's been great."

To visit the haunted house on the Internet, log on to Myspace.com/mainstreethouseofhorror

At 7 p.m. a Sock hop begins in The Main Event parking lot while the Idol Fest continues on the other end of Main St.

Then at 8 p.m., the Star Theater's production of The Invisible Man takes center stage along with the night's voting for Idol Fest.

On Saturday morning, activities get underway at 9 a.m. with vendors opening and numerous other fun fall activities beginning

At 10 a.m. to noon the Idol Fest winners are scheduled to perform. Then the Gospel Spirits of Fairview Baptist Church will perform at 11:30 a.m.

At 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Little David and Rickie Mann will perform before Christian rock band Affinity takes center stage at 3 p.m.

A costume contest will take place at 5 p.m. while the event will be capped off at 6 p.m. with the annual "Trunk or Treat" on Main St. That event will run to 7 p.m. this year.

Anyone wanting to hand out candy to children at this year's "Trunk or Treat" need to come through Wilson St. at 5 p.m. to park and be admitted onto Main St. City workers will direct people where to go from there.

Numerous other carnival-type activities will take place throughout the two-day event, including laser tag at the city park.

Michelle Smith, along with Pierce, has helped to organize the event through the downtown revitalization committee

Smith, Pierce and the rest of the committee wish to thank the Fall Fest gold sponsors: First National Bank, Bank of Jamestown, Monticello Banking Company, The Main Event, Country Folks Realty and Auction, Duo County Telephone, Sprint and Henson Ace Hardware for their work in helping the city of Russell Springs and the downtown revitalization committee put on the first-ever Russell Springs Fall Fest.