Several changes are being implemented at this year's Fall Festival.

The most noticeable will be the parking arrangements. All of the area along Highway 160 next to the Community Center and the area on Basin Road will be labeled "Handicapped Only."

All others will be required to park at either the Saddle West or the Pahrump Nugget and use the shuttle buses from those spots.

The shuttles will run from the Saddle West three times an hour and from the Nugget four times an hour (15 minute intervals). Pickup points will be the second entrance (toward the back of the building on the parking lot side) at the Saddle West and at the front door of the Nugget.

The service is free and will run until midnight. There is no entrance fee for the festival, but tickets are required for the Thursday concert, and the carnival will have an entry fee. Tickets are now on sale at Ace, Remax Vision, the Chamber of Commerce, and Shadow Mountain Feed.

Traci Byrd will perform at 7 p.m. Thursday at arena.

In addition to the 208 vendors, representatives from Hawk Quest (a wild bird rescue organization), will have presentations for the public on how and when one should help wildlife, especially birds. They will have actual endangered birds to see and you can have your picture taken with them. This will truly be a thrill for young festival-goers.

And of course there will be a parade. This year's theme is "Jumpin' and Jivin'." It will start at 9 a.m. Highway 160. There are 100 entries in the parade this year, so everyone is sure to enjoy it. John Fredericks of Las Vegas Channel 3 fame will be one of the judges of the event again this year.

The Professional Rodeo Competition Association is one of the sponsors for this year's rodeo. This competition will run through the weekend with the winners determined Sunday night. The cost is $12 each night.

Franco Flynn (of Disney and 49er fame) will be the master of ceremonies for the stage acts. He will also have ongoing family games for all ages.

A barbecue will be provided by the Rotary Club to benefit the Boys and Girls Club. The Elks Lodge will have their annual breakfast and lunch service, and the VFW will handle the beer sales. Also, the U.S. Army will have their recruiting rock wall set up.

Where's the music, you ask?

Well, there will be so much of it that at first you may not be able to decide who listen to. In addition to the concert on Thursday night, other acts will be the Midnight Country Band, Randy Anderson Band, County Line Band, White Horse Band and Synergy.

But there will be something a little different this year. Also included are Dancing Step Follies and Guns and Garters, and, Sharifa and the Desert Roses -- belly dancers. Yes, belly dancers.

So much will be going on.

For the young folks, Ronald McDonald will be in the parade as well as in the park at noon Saturday. The kids are sure to love the show.

An idol competition will be held Friday-Sunday. These folks of all ages will be performing, and the judges will use public response as well as their established criteria to determine the winners on Sunday. Go pick your favorite and yell or clap like crazy to let the judges know who you like.

Exhibits, demonstrations, arts and crafts, and more will be available each day. So, take your pop-up umbrellas, a blanket and whatever else you need to spend the day and hang out in the park. Thursday evening is best for checking out the vendors without being rushed.

Organizer Connie Rockwood said, "It will be the most fabulous festival to date. Turnout is expected to be tremendous. It's sure to please everyone who attends. We also thank the volunteers who have put in hours upon hours to help organize and put the festival together. They have done a wonderful job."

Contact the Town Office or the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce with further questions.