Music festivals litter spring and summer, but by October, options for outdoor entertainment start thinning out. But the Kings River Fall Musicfest has stepped in as a free, family-oriented event. With a day's worth of eclectic music, a bushel of kids' activities and vendors filling the 60 acres of Kings River Park at 4144 S.W. 149th, the festival starts noon Saturday and lasts deep into the night.

Organizer Lisa McGuinness wanted an event that featured good music, but not at the expense of an all-ages atmosphere.

"It is hard to go to a festival of any kind and bring your kids when there are adults drinking," she said. "People don't always want to take their kids around that; I know I don't. All the bands are those that the whole family can enjoy. You don't have to worry about swearing or lewd activity."

McGuinness said there will be a pumpkin patch where kids can carve, paint and decorate their own jack-o'-lanterns. Arts and craft stations will be set up for kids to create while their parents enjoy music from local rockers like Queen of Monroe, Scott Keeton, Resident Funk, David Rodgers and rockabilly mainstay Brian Dunning.

"We have everything from ska to blues and a little bit of everything in between," McGuinness said. "There is R&B, funk, blues, rock 'n' roll, a Mötley Crüe tribute band and an original acoustic set. We are showcasing some of the local talent we don't normally get to see hanging out at the clubs, because these groups travel quite a bit."

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/kingsrivermusicfest. "Charles Martin