There is no shortage of events this weekend, as communities all over the area host boo parades and Halloween-themed events. One event in particular stands apart from the frightful events, though.

The Starkville Area Arts Council will once again host the Cotton District Arts Festival on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The diversity of this event and the emphasis on local vendor participation, give the Cotton District Arts Festival a unique flare among Golden Triangle festivals.

The heart of the festival runs along University Street, from Jarnigan Street to just before the entrance to the Mississippi State University campus.

It may be wise to take an umbrella as showers are forecast to begin around 10 a.m., but the festival is a rain-or-shine event. We encourage everyone to pull out your umbrellas and make the journey to the Cotton District.

For more than a decade, the CDAF has provided a locally diverse set of music, art and performance to a stretch of University Street. This year’s festival will feature 100-plus artisan vendors, along with a Children’s Village, International Village and Writer’s Village.

Music kicks off on three stages at 9 a.m. and continues throughout the day.

Running parallel to the arts offerings is A Taste of Starkville, which features food options from local restaurants, professional chefs and amateur chefs. Nearly 20 local food vendors are expected to have booths, according to the CDAF’s website.

For dog and cat lovers, there will even be a pet parade at Fire Station Park.

So, in between your trick-or-treating this weekend, swing by the Cotton District for good food, good music and a wide array of arts.

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.