Laurel's International Riverfest is Oct. 1

Greet October outdoors at the International Riverfest 2011, Sat., Oct. 1, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at Riverfront Park, one block off Main Street at Avondale Street.

The festival starts off with the seventh annual First Generation College Bound Riverfest 5k run/2-mile walk at 9 a.m. Sponsored by the Laurel Board of Trade, this year's international theme for the festival reflects the different cultures represented in Laurel's population. The festival attracts arts and crafts vendors community groups, and offers food, live entertainment, hayrides along the Patuxent River, child ID fingerprinting and children's games such as potato sack races and tug of war, and pony rides.

There will be more food vendors this year with everything from wings to sweet potato bread to Fisher's popcorn.

PNC bank will bring its 40 x 50-foot Mobile Learning Adventure, which offers interactive touch-screen kiosks, educational games and parenting tips, part of PNC Bank's Grow Up Great project to highlight the importance of early childhood education. At a photo station, kids can dress up in costumes of what they'd like to be as grown-ups, then pose for photos to take home.

The festival's hayride follows Riverfront Park from B Street to about Sixth Street.

Contact the Laurel Board of Trade at 301-498-0838.