If celebrating the fun side of lowbrow deep-south silliness sounds like a fun way to spend a Saturday night, then Cullman’s Festhalle is the place you’ll want to be this Saturday night.

Returning for the first time since 2011, the local GOP-sponsored Possum Day will put a southern-marsupial spin on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania’s Groundhog day hijinks — only in this case, the possum of record will be forecasting how long we’ll have to wait for autumn to arrive.

Although the event is hosted by the local Republican party, organizer Steve Cummings said the idea is to stage a fun, family-friendly party that runs in the opposite direction from politics.

“It’s just a low-budget, fun community thing,” Cummings explained. “It’s open for everyone regardless of their politics; it’s free; it raises money only for local charities, and there’re no speeches. People get tired of blasting each other with politics and screaming at each other on Facebook, and that’s not really how our community is, anyway. This will just be people coming together to do something fun for a good cause, regardless of their affiliations.”

On tap Saturday is the signature event — the moment when the possum (whom Cummings said doesn’t have a name, “because I really don’t think it’s a great idea to tame them”) will emerge from his enclosure to prognosticate on whether summer will end on schedule — or if we’ll be getting six extra weeks of heat and humidity. The critter also will pull double duty as a sports sharp, divining with his possum-y whiskers whether ‘Bama or Auburn will win the Iron Bowl this year.

There’ll also be a Possum Queen pageant for any woman aged 16 and older, a totally informal, come-as-you-are affair that Cummings describes as “Southern Comfortable” attire-appropriate; and that requires no prior registration.

The pageant, along with a “country strongman challenge” and a “mouth of the south” contest, will benefit a trio of local charities: Restoring Women Outreach, Curt’s Closet, and Cullman Caring for Kids.

Although the local GOP is renting the Festhalle and paying for musical entertainment (four area artists, including Round 2 and the Cotton Pickin’ Kids are scheduled to appear), all of the proceeds raised from the contest entry fees will go straight to the charities, Cummings said. Seating at the Festhalle is limited, so if you plan to come and stay a while, be sure to bring a chair (or three).

Benjamin Bullard can be reached by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 145.