Hinkletown Mennonite School, 272 Wanner Road, Ephrata, will host the 42nd annual HinkleFEST and Benefit Auction on Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, rain or shine.

The eighth annual Chicken Chase/Family Fun Run will take place on Friday at 4 p.m. Children will run one, two, or three laps based on their age, and adults will run four laps, totaling more than 1.5 miles. Awards will go to top runners, with participation prizes for all runners. To preregister, visit http://www.hinkletownschool.org. Registration will also be available on race day.

A pork barbecue dinner will be available on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., with drive-through and eat-in options offered. The meal will include roast pork sandwiches, picnic side dishes, a drink, and a whoopie pie. Attendees may also preview the items that will go on the auction block on Saturday. Kids may enjoy a bounce house and cotton candy.

Kids are invited to attend Saturday's Kids FEST from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This event will include a bounce house, barrel train rides, pony rides, carnival games, and a petting zoo. Attendees may get an all-day pass for unlimited access to activities. Face painting with local artist Rebekah Violante will return this year from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The HinkleFEST auction will kick off on Saturday at 9 a.m. Among the items up for bids will be locally made products such as cheese, Jersey Swiss and Greek yogurt, and various packages of grass-fed beef, free-range chicken, and locally raised pork. Attendees may also bid on a cabin rental at Angola by the Bay; certificates for outdoor experiences such as the elevated obstacle course at Refreshing Mountain Camp, the Safari Tour at Lake Tobias, and kayaking or paddleboating at Shank's Mare; family experiences such as a one-hour balloon flight or a weekend campsite at Woodcrest Retreat; gift certificates for local fun at places like 222 Dutch Lanes Bowling, Hands-On House, The Amish Farm & House, and Water's Edge Mini Golf; and other items, such as a toddler bike, lawn furniture, lawn games, and fishing gear.

Breakfast options will be new this year during HinkleFEST, with breakfast egg sandwiches, coffee, and doughnuts available beginning at 8 a.m. Food will continue to be available throughout the day in the gym, including freshly baked, homemade apple dumplings; barbecue chicken made on-site; and hand-cut french fries.

Auctioneers Michael J. Martin and John Rutt of Martin & Rutt Auctioneers will again lend their skill. HMS students will contribute to the auction through class projects and baskets such as games, canned goods from the HMS garden, and homemade ice cream from the middle school Ice Cream Club.

The HinkleFEST & Benefit Auction is the school's largest community-building event supporting the mission of Christ-centered education at HMS. For more information, go to http://www.hinkletownschool.org or call the school at 717-354-7100.