BELLAIRE — The Bellaire Volunteer Fire Department’s annual festival is set for Oct. 11-13 at the Village Park, located at Belmont and Guernsey streets.

This year’s event has a Halloween theme and is dubbed the Ghosts & Goblins Festival.

It will feature food, children’s activities such as bounce houses, a rock wall, mechanical bull, bean bag toss tournament, beer garden and many vendors and crafters selling their wares.

Friday, the first night, will kick off with an opening ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Special guests for the ceremony will include Mayor Vince DiFabrizio, U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Ohio; Ohio Rep. Jack Cera, D-Bellaire; and tentatively state Sen. Frank Hoagland, R-Mingo Junction. Officials from the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office also are planning to attend.

From 6-11 p.m. there will be Bingo in the Park. At 7 p.m. a 5K run/walk will step off at the park. Proceeds from the race benefit the Coats for Kids program. And starting at 8 p.m. there will be live music from Still Kickin’.

On Saturday, the day will start at 11 a.m. with the second annual Firefighter Olympics. The Firefighter Olympics is an obstacle course featuring 15 different stations. Participants must wear their turnout gear, helmet and eye protection. There is a cost for the timed event.

According to festival information, some of the challenges include:

∫ Hooking up a hose line from the hydrant to the truck;

∫ Dragging a charged hose through an obstical course;

∫ Using Jaws of Life;

∫ Cutting glass from a car windshield; and

∫ Hose operation skill test

At 11 a.m. the American Legion Post 51 Car Show begins. From 12:30-5:30 p.m. there will be Bingo in the Park. At 2 p.m. there will be live music from Jessica Jo and The Valley Outlaws. At 4 p.m. Black Diamond Wrestling will enter the ring.

From 6-11 p.m. another round of Bingo in the Park will be held.

At 5 p.m., Barnyard Petting Zoo of Pennsylvania is expected to bring a variety of animals including a camel, zebra, alpaca, llama, miniature horse, miniature donkey, ducks, puppies, piglets, a calf and more.

“They will have a 40 by 40 area. It’s free to go in, but you can purchase feed and bottles,” festival organizer Ray Penyak said.

And at 8 p.m. there will be more live music by April’s Fool.

On Sunday, the festivities will kick off with Bingo in the Park from 12:30-5:30 p.m. At 1 p.m. there will be a Pet Costume Contest. At 1:30 p.m. a Kids Costume Parade is planned.

From 1:30-4 p.m. is the Bellaire’s Got Talent Show. At 3 p.m. is a Kids Firefighter Olympics. Penyak said the kids Olympics is an obstacle course that allows children up to high school age to play firefighter. There will be air packs made from soda bottles, hoses and more.

At 5 p.m. the petting zoo will be open again. And at 6 p.m. the festival will close out with live music by Poor Man’s Heaven.

“It’s a labor of live for the fire department. We do it for the citizens to give back,” Penyak said of the festival. “We hope for all in the valley to come. We have something for everybody. We’re praying for good weather and a big crowd.”