PROCTORVILLE - Fall was almost in the air as organizers and vendors were putting the finishing touches on the Lawrence County Fairgrounds Thursday afternoon, preparing to kick-off the Lawrence County Pumpkin Festival.

The festival started Thursday and will wrap up Sunday. Organizers Frank and Emma Call have planned a variety of activities for guests of all ages including bean cooking, face painting, inflatable rides for the children and homemade ice cream.

"There's a headache in every bowl," Carl Kelley said as he smiled from behind the freezer.

Kelley of Deering will be serving up homemade ice cream at the festival. Not only does he serve chocolate, pineapple, peach and vanilla ice cream but he makes banana splits as well.

He said that although they were setting up for the festival on Thursday afternoon, he was ready to go and already had some ice cream prepared for festival goers who may be in need of a cold treat.

Kelley has been making ice cream since July. Kelley said he built his trailer himself and his daughters who own Kelley's Corner in South Point bought him a huge freezer.

Bill Franklin of Wolfe Creek and Iris McKinney of West Hamlin, W.Va., were busy setting up their booths in the afternoon heat.

"We've got the best salsa in Lawrence County," Franklin said.

In addition to salsa (chunky salsa), they sell bread and butter pickles and hot peppers.

McKinney said that she cans in the summer.

She also sells purses - some that she makes out of old quilts. She said that she has been sewing since she was eleven, and she started making a purse one evening and she was hooked - making several her first time.

Franklin makes birdhouses in the winter which he will sell at the festival, along with other things such as key rings and jewelry.

"After I get through with my hunting," he said.

Along with contests for the best pie and cake, wood crafts and candles there are some events scheduled for the weekend.