COAL GROVE — Autumn is just around the corner, and with it, a host of community festivals.

One in particular will have folks vying for top honors in a competition of delectable proportions.

Coal Grove Memorial United Methodist Church will once again host its annual block party and dessert contest from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday. The event is free and open to the community.

In previous years, the contest has been restricted to cakes and pies, but church member Carol Gool said the contest has opened up to all dessert entries.

“I would encourage everyone to enter the dessert contest,” Gool said. “We are awarding prizes for first, second and third place.”

This year’s judges will be Les Boggs, Lawrence County Commissioner, commission candidates Doug Malone and Carl Robinson, and Tribune photographer Jessica St. James.

For those whose pastry skills are not at the competitive level, there will be a corn hole tournament starting at 1 p.m.

Prizes for the two competitions have been donated by local businesses.

There will also be carnival games and an inflatable for the children and live musical entertainment.

Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital will have a free health fair with blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose screenings.

Community members are also invited to stay for a free meal of hot dogs and chips or beans and corn bread.

But more than just a party, pastor Brad Jenkins said the event is the church’s way of reaching out to the community.

“We just want to show we are there to care for the community,” Jenkins said. “Especially in a time when we live in a world when you turn on the news and see something depressing.

We are here for them. We care about them.”

The church is located at 222 Memorial Street in Coal Grove.