Preparation is taking place for the 28th Annual Thorsby Swedish Festival.

This year the festival will be held on Oct. 8 at Richard Wood Park along with an automobile and bike show and a 5K run.

“It’s important to do stuff for all ages,” said Swedish Festival Chairwoman Laura Liveoak. “We’ve tried to remain that family atmosphere and not exclude anybody.”

The Swedish Festival beauty pageant will be held a week earlier on Oct. 1 at the Thorsby High School Auditorium beginning at 1 p.m. with various age groups taking the stage throughout the day.

Registration for the pageant will be held on Aug. 27 at Helen Jenkins Chapel from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. A $75 entry fee is required.

However, late entries will be accepted until Sept. 7, but will require a $10 late fee.

Booths and vendors can go ahead and reserve their spots for the festival by filling out a registration form located at town hall.

A regular spot is 12 feet long and 12 feet wide and costs $30. To add an electrical outlet costs an additional $10.

According to Liveoak, the event has really grown from about 10 vendors the first year to around 100 a year ago.

“A lot of the same vendors come back each and every year,” Liveoak said. “It’s like a big family.”

Another major part of the Thorsby Swedish Festival is the automobile and bike show that will accompany the rest of the celebration from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Plaques and trophies will be awarded to the best looking cars and bikes. Registration is $20 on the day of the event and $15 prior to the start of the festival.

“Last year was a great year, and we just look to continue building off of that,” Liveoak said.

For information or questions surrounding the 2016 Swedish Festival, contact Liveoak at (205) 646-8501 or email ThorsbySF@yahoo.com.