Carnival games, a haunted house, a hay ride and musical entertainment are some of the offerings planned for the Ponder school district’s annual Fall Festival on Saturday.

Festivities will start at 5:30 p.m. with a barbecue dinner in the Ponder Elementary School cafeteria. Booths are expected to open at 6 p.m. and remain open until 9 p.m. in the district’s football stadium parking lot.

“It’s a widely attended community event,” Superintendent Bruce Yeager said. “It’s a piece of rural American pie. You’ll have to see it for yourself.

“It’s a pretty neat event.”

Jona Darnell, festival coordinator, said that the event brings people together for a night of entertainment, food, fun and games. Darnell said the festival allows parents to interact with district teachers and staff while children enjoy activities such as bowling, bounce houses and pie throwing.

The event is expected to include performances by the Ponder High School band and choir. A silent auction will take place until 8:30 p.m. in the elementary cafeteria. A live auction will begin at 8:30 p.m., Darnell said, in conjunction with the announcement of raffle winners.

She said raffle tickets will be sold for $1 until 8:30, for the chance to win prizes such as a custom-made bench, a gas grill, $200 cash, a Nintendo Wii game console, an MP3 player and a $100 Cabela’s gift card.

Festival admission is free; however, there’s a charge for booth tickets and food. Tickets will be sold for 50 cents apiece, and the barbecue dinner will cost $5.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Ponder classrooms, Darnell said. Some district classes plan to use the money for classroom materials and prom and graduation events.

For more information, visit the district Web site, www.ponderisd.net.

BRITNEY TABOR can be reached at 940-566-6876. Her e-mail address is btabor@dentonrc.com .