At least 130 vendors will attend the 22nd annual Caledonia Days festival Friday and Saturday at Ola J. Pickett Park.

Christina Williams, who is organizing the event for the second time, is looking forward to seeing crowds gather for the weekend festivities, which will feature live music, a car show and a pet contest.

“One of my all time favorite memories is seeing everyone come together in our town and celebrating our small town,” Williams said. “And seeing our festival grow every year.”

Williams said last year’s festival had a great turnout, with anywhere from 10,000 to 15,000 people attending. She hopes attendance grows for this year’s two-day event, ideally hitting at least 20,000 visitors.

Festivities will begin on Friday with Jessica Horton and The Silver Eagle Band taking the stage from 5-7 p.m., and Alabama Sunset will close out the night from 7-10.

This year, 110 vendors will sell homemade goods ranging from jewelry to woodwork alongside 26 food vendors, whose offerings include hibachi, pork skins and loaded hot dogs, among others.

“We try and encourage all of our vendors to sell on Friday night as well,” Williams said. “So it is almost the same for both days.”

This year will also feature the original Bigfoot Monster Truck, which Williams is particularly excited about. Festivalgoers will get to meet the crew and take pictures with the truck on both days. There will also be a first responder and community vehicle showcase.

Saturday will kick off with registration for the Boo Cruise car show from 8 a.m. to noon. Carl Ulmer, who has organized the show for the last 17 years, is hoping there will be at least 175 cars.

The show is open to all types of cars, motorcycles and tractors, though Ulmer said participating cars have shifted from classic 1930s and 1940s models toward cars from the 1960s and 1970s. But he said those interested in registering a car do not need a vintage car.

“A high school teenager now, their favorite car may be a Toyota Supra and that’s what they’re driving there or they’re driving a Honda,” he said. “If they fixed it up and put their heart (and) passion into it, why not show it off?”

All participants who pay the $10 entry fee will get to vote on the winners of the show, who will win prizes ranging from $20 to $100. Last year, Ulmer said he gave out almost $1,500 in prizes.

For those just wanting to view the show, Ulmer recommends coming between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. when the bulk of the cars will be there.

While the car contest gets rolling, registration for the pet parade will run from 8:45-9:20 a.m. with the parade kicking off at 9:30. Donations collected during the contest will benefit the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society.

The contest will begin at 10 a.m., with winners selected for Best Costume, Largest Pet, Smallest Pet and Most Unusual Pet. All pets can register, including cats, dogs, horses and goats.

On the main stage Saturday, there will also be musical performances throughout the day, starting with Caledonia High School Marching Band at 8:45 a.m., followed by Revive Worship group and Caledonia Pee Wee Cheer. Live music will continue throughout the day featuring Ethan Oswalt, Josie Sal, CJ Bell and Win Wheel.

There will be a kids’ zone set up throughout both days of the festival featuring jumpers, pony rides, putt-putt and more, Williams said.