The 38th Annual Boston (GA) Mini-marathon and Festival is scheduled for Oct. 27-29 and you are invited to attend.  Boston loves company and the Boston Community Club has an exciting agenda lined up for this annual event.

Activities begin October 21 with the Miss Boston Pageant. Young women from the Boston area compete in categories by age groups. Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Boston representatives will be crowned and will reign over the parade on October 28. Tina Carson and Randi Sellars chair this event.Applications are available on the website  www.bostonga.com/events and follow prompts or call Sellars at (229) 393-5200 or Carson at (229) 221-3960.

Friday, October 27, activities begin at 6 p.m. with participants in the Best BBQ Butt in Boston competition checking in and setting up their cooking stations. Bill Tanner is chairing this event and can be reached at (229) 224-1664. Categories include butts and ribs; no chicken this year. He wants to remind everyone that cash prizes are awarded and they always have a good time, so come join the fun whether you are an old hand at cookoffs or just beginning.

Ozell Road is back by popular demand and will set up in Watt Park at 7:30 p.m. to provide an evening of music. Restaurants and some shops will be open, so come early, enjoy the town and then settle in on your lawn chair or blanket for a concert. 

Saturday, Oct. 28, the town will wake up early when runners and walkers appear, ready for a brisk run or walk on the wheel-measured course through our picturesque countryside.

At 8 a.m., after the singing of the National Anthem and welcome, the runners will lead the pack.Following the runners, those participating in the 5K will begin their walk; the one-mile fun runners will be close behind.  

This is the 38th year for Boston, GA’s mini-marathon; the sanctioned run draws dedicated and casual participants from several Southern states. Brad Johnson chairs this event; he encourages everyone to come out and enjoy the countryside and the friendly competition. Prizes are awarded by age group and there is a cash prize to the overall winner. Registration forms are available on the website www.bostonga.com or at most Boston businesses. To contact Johnson, call (229) 584-0924 (days) or (229) 226-4679 (evenings). 

The fun continues as arts/crafts/food vendors are in place and ready for business by 9 a.m. Betty Hoskins coordinates these vendors and she reminds everyone to get their registration in early and then show up early to get a good spot. Hoskins can be reached at (229) 224-8660; registration forms are available at www.bostonga.com

Ghosts and goblins will join ballerinas, firemen, Sponge Bob and a host of other characters for the Hallowe’en Costume Contest held at 10 a.m. in Watt Park. Lindsey Durham Ray chairs this event. Ray says the competition is always keen but everyone is a winner and she wants to see a bigger crowd than ever at this popular event. Prizes are awarded but the audience is the real winner; it’s such a treat to see kids of all ages having fun in their costumes. Call Ray at (229) 344-3345 with questions.

At 11 a.m., the awards ceremony in Watt Park will recognize the winners in the run and walk events. Prizes are awarded by age category, although finishing is the real reward. Immediately following the ceremony, the winners will join other parade participants as the 38th Annual Mini-marathon parade winds its way through downtown. Leading the parade this year are three parade marshals — Al Bruce, Keith Huddleston and Jerry Alderman. These three longtime friends have written and published a book about growing up in a small rural town; entitled “Coming of Age in Boston, GA” the book gives the reader an intimate look into their lives and the community. The authors will be available after the parade at the Information Booth to talk about their book and sign copies.

There is no fee to enter the parade; however, preregistration is required. A registration form is available on Boston’s website, www.bostonga.com, or for more information about the parade, call Danny Groover at (229) 498-4065 or (229) 224-6201.

At 12:30 p.m., Thomas University Jazz Ensemble will be set up and performing in Watt Park. Under the direction of Dr. Karl Barton, TUJE is always a crowd pleaser. Following their performance, the live entertainment continues with a duo from Bleu Burden performing. All of the entertainment is free and you’re invited to enjoy the music.

At 3 p.m., the winners of the Best BBQ Butt in Boston Cook-off will be announced.  

The weekend of festivities concludes Sunday afternoon with a trail ride sponsored by South Georgia Equestrian Association. Shannell Roberts chairs the event this year; for details, call (229) 977-6152.

Produced by the Boston Community Club, the 38th Annual Boston (GA) Mini-Marathon Festival represents the work of community club members and many volunteers from within and outside of the Boston community. Proceeds are used to maintain the community center on Main Street and for other local events, including the Spring Fling, which is always the Saturday before Easter.