Fireworks will be a new attraction at the 24th annual Eva Frontier Days, which will begin on Sat., Sept. 21, and continue through Sat., Sept. 28.

The sights and sounds of explosions in midair will occur after dark on Sat., Sept. 28, bringing the eight-day celebration to a dramatic climax. The event will be sponsored by Journey Church and staged at the town’s ball fields.

Many other fun-filled activities are in store for Frontier Days attendees. They include the following:

•A Frontier Days Beauty Pageant will be staged at Journey Church Sat., Sept. 21, beginning at 10 a.m. Admission is $3.

•A Bluegrass Festival featuring Stan Nelson and the Hurricane Creek Band will be held at Eva School at 6 p.m. the same day. Jamming will begin at 3 p.m. Admission is $6.

•A hayride in the countryside is on the agenda for Tues., Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. Riders will board hay-filled trailers (pulled by farm tractors) at the old Saddle Club Arena on Frost Road and return after a 45-minute ride. A hot dog and Coke will be provided. Admission is $1.

•A free Community Singing will be held at Bethel UMC Thurs., Sept. 26, at 7 p.m.

•Music on the Square featuring Free Indeed will be staged downtown Fri., Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. No admission required.

An all-day festival Sat., Sept. 28, will highlight the celebration. More than a dozen events and activities will be featured. They include one of North Alabama’s largest antique tractor shows, a two-mile long street parade, an adult and teen baking contest, live stage entertainment, best dressed contest, pig calling contest, frog-jumping contest and a greased pig chase.

Of all the events, the most popular for both participants and viewers is the greased pig chase,” according to Barbara Frost, spokesperson for Eva Art Guild, the sponsoring organization.

The chase comes at the end of the day’s program and is held on an enclosed ball field. Kids are invited to participate. They line up and take off after the pig when it is released. The chasers have no problem getting a hand on the pig, but getting them to stick and get the pig stopped is another matter.

“It’s a funny sight to see,” Frost said, “and people who come in from out of town really enjoy it.”

Frost said the festival draws in lots of people who have childhood ties to the town.

“It really is a homecoming for many folks and a good time for any family to spend a day together having fun,” she pointed out. “People who come for the first time find it hard to believe that many people will come to a small town event.”