For the past four years, the Andalusia Junior Woman’s Club’s Three Notch Market has been an arts and crafts festival that boasted 60 to 80 vendors, including artists, food vendors and local businesses, as well as quality entertainment.

This year, a festival is beginning to grow up around it.

Curtis Simpson spearheaded the effort to make the event bigger while simultaneously giving non-profits an opportunity to raise money.

A core group has been meeting for weeks, and in a Tuesday meeting, confirmed that there are indeed big plans for Andalusia on Fri. and Sat., May 2 and 3.

The Three Notch Market arts and crafts show – which will still include entertainment and food vendors will still be the event’s central focus, and will again be held on the grounds of Springdale, the historic home of John G. Scherf.

The Southeast Alabama Scottish Rite has added a number of events to the fun, centered on the grounds of First Baptist Church. On both Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, hot air balloon rides are planned, and horse and carriage rides are available on Saturday. Also planned is a Poker Run, Boston Butt sales and a Shriners’ go-cart demonstration.

The Shriners also are sponsoring the appearance of Dr. John Van Valkenberg, who will portray both Mark Twain and Robert E. Lee.

The Andalusia Area Humane Society will hold a Just-Fur-Kids Dog Show at their home on Pearl Street. Kids and Dogs will check in at 9:30 a.m., and prizes will be awarded for best dog costume, best trick, best treat catcher, waggiest tail and best in show.

The Humane Society also is having a kids’ art contest in conjunction with the event.

Other events include:

• A pancake breakfast at First Methodist Church, co-sponsored by the Covington Arts Council and ACT I.

• A 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run, sponsored by Running for a Reason in support of Charlie Woods. The running fun begins in Robinson Park, and more information is available at running4areason.org.

• Covenant Hospice’s third annual bake sale, planned for both Friday afternoon and all day Saturday.

A parish yard sale at St. Mary’s Episcopal

• An Open Antique and Classic Car Show, coordinated by Ronnie Kilgore, is set for the Veterans Memorial behind Andalusia City Hall on Saturday.

• A recital of local talent coordinated by the Covington Arts Council in the city hall auditorium on Saturday evening.

• Events at the Covington Historical Society and LAAC.