Gainesville residents who love the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of a fall festival won’t have to travel far when Mule Camp Market returns to the downtown square the second week of October.

Sponsored by the Gainesville Jaycees, the festival features craft exhibitors from all across the country and top-quality country and bluegrass entertainment.

According to the Gainesville Jaycee’s website (www.gainesvillejaycees.org), the regional event is the “single largest annual event hosted in Hall County” with crowds of 75,000 attending the three-day festival. A carnival is held in conjunction with Mule Camp every year.

This festival showcases mountain arts and crafts. Families can enjoy mule rides, live music and fair cuisine, while kids enjoy the petting zoo and other activities.

The 2016 Mule Camp Market will run from are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8; and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 9, in the Gainesville square.

Georgia Mountains YMCA will host its second annual Mule Camp Market 5K at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. The 5-kilometer race will feature a new route in downtown Gainesville, including running over the pedestrian bridge and through the greenway. Prizes will be awarded in all age groups.

The event will include a bounce house and family-friendly activities.

Registration costs $30-$35. Proceeds will provide swim lessons and other programs to underserved families in the community.

For more information on the 5K, call Greg Supianoski at the Georgia Mountains YMCA at 770-297-9622 or visit www.gamountainsymca.org/mulecamp5k.