By Rita Howell
Batesville’s fourth annual Show Off on the Square car show will welcome about 250 cars and trucks of all makes and models to be arrayed on the Batesville Square Saturday.

 The Show Off is one of seven events offering entertainment and activities in the community this weekend. And that doesn’t count the two home football games tonight. (See section B for more on those.)

The Mississippi Delta Street Rods and the City of Batesville will host the open car show, which begins at 8 a.m. Batesville’s Exchange Club will sponsor a pancake breakfast at the Batesville Intermediate School cafeteria from 7 to 10 a.m. Merea Ministry plans a craft fair and music festival at Batesville First Baptist Church, beginning at 8 a.m. At the Factory Stores at Batesville, the Finch-Henry Job Corps Center is coordinating “Run, Walk and Roll Against Bullying,” which starts at 9 a.m. At the Panola County Sheriff’s Department, Fire Prevention and Safety Day will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A blues concert Saturday at 1 p.m. in Gravel Springs (just north of Como) will kick off a week of activities celebrating the area’s Hill Country Blues tradition.

At Panola Playhouse in Sardis, “Young Frankenstein” opens tonight at 7, with performances also set for Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m.

Car Show
About 250 cars, trucks and motorcycles, many vintage and some recent models, are expected for the car show, according to Darrell Martin, member of the Delta Street Rods. More than 120 trophies will be awarded in more than 40 classes.

Funds raised by the club go to support a number of charities, he said, including the Baptist Children’s Village and local needs.

A kick off party will be held tonight on the Square from 7-10, with music by Class Act.
In addition to the Saturday car show, children’s activities and games will be organized by the Junior Auxiliary of Batesville, and concessions will be available from food vendors all day.
For information about the Show Off, call Darrell Martin at 561-5163.

Pancake breakfast
The Exchange Club sponsors twice-a-year pancake breakfasts to benefit the work of prevention of child abuse. For $4 diners can enjoy pancakes, sausage, juice and coffee. Tickets are available at The Panolian or at the door. And you can walk on down to the Square after breakfast.

Crafts Fair and Music Fest
Within an easy walk of the Show Off will be Merea’s Cotton Harvest Music Fest and Crafts Fair. The event will raise funds for the work of Merea, an affiliate of the Christian Women’s Job Corps.
The crafts fair will be open from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and food available.

The music fest starts at 1 p.m. and features the talents of local and regional gospel groups and individuals, including 5+2, John Jordan, Antioch Baptist Choir and Praise Team, Matt Hill, the Como Mamas, Steve McGregory. There will be a southern gospel sing-along at 5:45 and Paid in Full will sing at 7 p.m. Admission to the music fest is $10.

For information about the Cotton Harvest Festival, call 710-6300.

Run, walk, roll
The F-H Job Corps Center, with assistance from a number of local agencies, will sponsor a 3.5 mile course and a 1.5 mile fun run, encouraging runners, walkers and those who use wheelchairs to participate in observance of National Bullying Prevention Month. Registration will take place at the Factory Stores at Batesville from 7-8:30 a.m., with the run beginning at 9 a.m. Also planned are snacks, activities and a health fair. For information call 563-4656, ext. 303.
Safety Day

Fire prevention and safety will be the focus of a fun-filled day of activities hosted by the Sardis Lake First Department at the Panola Sheriff’s Department. Hours are 9-2. There will be games, prizes, food and drinks, and participants can register for free smoke detectors.

Blues Concert
At the O.B. McClinton Community Center in south Tate County, just up the road from Como, Glen Faulkner, a master on the diddley bow, will present a concert on the primitive, one-stringed instrument upon which many local musicians got their start. Afterward participants will have the opportunity to make their own diddley bows. The event kicks off a week of activities celebrating the Hill Country Blues. For information, call Alice Pierotti at the Como Public Library, 526-5283.
Young Frankenstein
Rehearsals have been ongoing for weeks as the young cast at Panola Playhouse has prepared for tonight’s opening of the popular musical. Go to panolaplayhouse.com for information. Panola Playhouse is among the oldest community theaters in the state.