As May winds down, the city of Mentone, the self proclaimed “Egg Basket of the Midwest,” gears up for the annual Egg Festival. This year the festivities begin today and run through Saturday.

This festival celebrates the prolific commercial egg production that distinctly marks the city’s heritage and history. “It’s just kind of like a block party,” said Rita Simpson, head of Mentone’s Chamber of Commerce.

The Egg Festival kicked off today with the all day Bell Memorial Library Book Sale located at the library. Starting at 5 p.m. there will be a flea markets, crafts, food vendors and a kids’ area uptown. Spike and the Bulldogs will perform at the fire station beginning at 7:30 p.m.

The 20th Annual Egg Festival Car, Truck, Tractor and Motorcycles Cruise-In will take place at 4 p.m. Friday on Tucker Street, rain or shine. The top 25 cars, 10 trucks, 10 motorcycles and 5 tractors will win special awards, and the awards ceremony will begin at 9 p.m.

In addition, the Bell Memorial Library Book Sale will continue along with the kids’ area with attractions from Extreme Fun from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Bell Museum Bell burgers, pie and ice cream from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the ‘50s and ‘60s music themed silent auction from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. is also occurring.

Saturday, the festival will offer over 12 hours of fun events for the whole family to enjoy, including most of the major Egg Festival events.

The Fireman’s Pancake and Sausage Breakfast, which will run from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the fire station, joins the other traditional events in the festival for the first time this year.

The Egg City 5K Run/ 1 Mile Walk will start at 8 a.m. at the fire station. Proceeds from this event benefit the Mentone EMS. Registration costs $20, and participants will receive T-shirts on a first come, first serve basis.

The festival offers another way to get involved and active: the 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament, which will begin between 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., depending on division. Registration fees cost $40 per team. Teams may consist of three to four players and will play games on half courts.

The parade will start at 11 a.m. downtown with parade marshals Ron and Marsha Scott leading the way. The theme for the parade this year will be “Crusin’ ‘50s.” The city welcomes theme floats, horse groups, antique vehicles, color guard, farm equipment, kids’ units, marching units, decorated golf carts and more to register for participation. There is no charge for admission. Entries have the ability to win trophies for various categories, such as theme floats.

The Miss Chick and Mr. Rooster contest will begin 12:30 p.m. at the fire station. To enter, contestants must sign up prior to competition. Eligibility requires participants between the ages of 3 and 6 years old, and for each contestant to participate in the parade and follow the festival theme.

The Northern Indiana Pullers Garden Tractor Pull will begin at 2 p.m. with weigh-in at 1 p.m. The Kiddie Tractor Pull will take place at 1:30 p.m.

The Egg Toss will occur at 2:30 p.m. on the stage, and the Great Egg Nest Race will take place at the corner of Jackson and Tucker streets at 4 p.m. Each team for the Egg Nest Race must consist of four to six people and create a structure to race no larger than 6 feet wide. Each team must have one member ride inside of the “nest” structure during the race. This contest offers the opportunity for first and second place prizes.

The city will crown the new Miss Mentone at 7:15 p.m. on the stage with the variety show to follow at 7:30 p.m.

Many other entertaining events will take place during the course of the festival. The festival will charge no fee for admission.

“We just enjoy putting on the party,” Simpson said, encouraging all in the community to attend the festivities that will take place over the weekend.

For a full list of events, event sign-up forms and to find out more information, visit www.mentoneeggcity.com.