A day of good food and music will greet visitors in downtown Cullman’s Festhalle Market Platz Saturday as the celebratory Farm Y’All festival unfolds.

Sponsored by TriGreen Equipment takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Flavors Bakery will kick off the morning’s events with a sample tasting of various pastries.

Among the events will be the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In, and the Giant Watermelon and Gourd Contest, sponsored by the Cullman County Commission and the Cullman County Industrial Development Board. Registration for the giant pumpkins and watermelons begins at 7 a.m. (see schedule at www.farmyall.com).

The Celebrity Chefs’ table, sponsored by American Proteins, will offer sample tastings from Chef Alan Martin of Dryon’s Low Country in Mountain Brook. He will take the stage from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Cullman’s own Chef Frank Stitt will be honored at 11 a.m. Then, stay in your seat for the Highlands Bar and Grill’s Chef Zack Redes, who will share his expertise from 11:15 a.m until noon.

At 12:30, Cullman native Cliff Holt, owner of Little Savannah in Birmingham, will share some of his secrets. At 1:45, Brick and Tin’s owner and Chef Mauricio Papapietro, who was a huge hit at the Farm To Fork Dinner, will once again work his culinary magic for the crowd, followed by the All Steak restaurant owner and Chef Matt Heim at 2:45.

Each chef will offer recipes and/or demonstrations or samples using locally grown produce.

There will be lots of educational fun for the kids, as well. Auburn University’s Mobile Biomass Gasifier will be on hand to demonstrate how electricity can be generated from biomass. Biomass includes common matter such as wood chips, switchgrass, poultry litter, etc. This process demonstrates how it is possible to convert such elements into energy in a clean and efficient manner.

The Water Wheels Outdoor Water Conservation Lab will also be on hand to educate visitors about installing rain harvesting systems for home use.

The Chick Chain Trailer will showcase various breeds of poultry, with information about joining the 4H Chick Chain program. The program is for ages 9-18.

A mobile dairy unit will demonstrate how farmers get it to us. The demonstrations take place at 9:45, 10:45, 11:45 and 1:45.

Come out and try your skill on the bull riding machine. Sack races, a petting zoo, horseshoe pitching and other games are scheduled, too.

Throughout the day, there will be live entertainment provided by several local bands, including the Fairview FFA Stringband, the Mountain Melodies Appalachian Dulcimer, and the Cold Springs FFA Stringband. Entertainment is sponsored by Alabama Farmers Cooperative.

Of course, there will be plenty of great food on hand, in addition to homegrown produce at the Festhalle, handmade crafts and canned goods. The farmers who sell their goods at the market are happy to share recipes and offer any information about how their produce is grown.

For more information, visit www.farmyall.com and on Facebook at Farm Y’all Festival

Location: Corner of Arnold Street and First Avenue N.E.

Time : Farm Y’All Festival begins at 8 a.m. and events run throughout the day

Admission is free.

Sample tastings

Chef Alan Martin of Dryon’s Low Country in Mountain Brook from 10 to 10:45 a.m.

Cullman’s own Chef Frank Stitt at 11 a.m.

Chef Zack Redes of Highlands Bar and Grill from 11:15 a.m until noon.

Cullman native Cliff Holt, owner of Little Savannah in Birmingham, at 12:30 p.m.

Brick and Tin’s owner and Chef Mauricio Papapietro, at 1:45 p.m.

All Steak restaurant owner and Chef Matt Heim at 2:45 p.m.