When Bob Frondargen,

honorary Grand Marshall for this year's Union City Fall Festival started

the annual celebration 13 years ago, little did he know it would be looked

forward to so eagerly each year. This year is no exception. A host of

activities and events are lined up that will be sure to provide everyone

who attend with some fun and excitement.

Today, Fiesta

Friday, gets the party under way at 5 p.m. with a DJ hosted Latin Street

Dance on Union Street in front of City Hall. There will also be food vendors

with spicy dishes from south of the border and Piñatas for the

kids to swing at in hopes of making it rain candy!

Tomorrow, activities

starts out bright and early with a parade at 10 a.m. Jovita Moore from

Channel 2 News will be this year's Grand Marshall. Marching bands and

dance teams from both Trinity High School and Banneker High School will

perform and entertain the crowds as they travel down Highway 29 along

with a line of floats and local celebrities. The parade route crosses

over on Watson Street to Union Street ending up in front of City Hall.

After the parade the two high school marching units will compete in a

Battle of the Bands.

Mayor Ralph

Moore will preside over the opening ceremonies which are set to begin

around 11:30 a.m. Behind City Hall at 1 p.m., a three on three basketball

competition known as Hoopfest should prove to be entertaining. Teams from

age groups 10-13 all the way up to 40 and over will compete for cash prizes,

trophies and T-shirts.

At 2 p.m.,

an open mike event will take place in front of City Hall. Local gospel

and secular talent are expected to perform. The Union City Depot building

will have an art exhibit of local talent, both young and old, and an exhibit

on the history of South Fulton County.

Another Street

Dance is planned on Union Street at 7 p.m. with live entertainment provided

p.m.

In addition,

there will be carnival rides through Sunday in the parking lot of the

Department of Public Safety. And if that's not enough, arts and crafts

booths will be set up all weekend for curiosity seekers of all kinds.

Union City Fall Festival coordinator, Police Chief Isome thinks it will

be a weekend to remember.