Lillian, Ala. — (OBA) —  The Optimist Club of Perdido Bay is preparing for another community tradition in Lillian. The annual Mullet Festival will feature races, food, music and family activities. A silent auction, bake sale and drawings are also planned. Proceeds will benefit local children and teens.

The 40th Annual Labor Day Mullet Festival is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 7, 2026. Activities will be held at Lillian Recreational Park, 33914 Widell Avenue, and the Lillian Community Club, 34148 Widell Avenue, in Lillian.

The morning begins at the recreational park with registration for the Run for the Mullet 5K Run/Walk from 6 to 7 a.m. A flag presentation is scheduled for 7:15 a.m., followed by the 5K at 7:30 a.m.

Age-group awards and a party for 5K runners and walkers will follow the race. At 8 a.m., the Mullet Fun Run will be held inside Lillian Recreational Park, with the start and finish near the center pavilion.

Festival activities at the Lillian Community Club begin with breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m. Breakfast costs $5, and children 8 and younger eat free.

A silent auction and bake sale will run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Mullet Toss is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon, with age-level prizes to be awarded at 12:30 p.m. in the Main Hall.

Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $12, with children age 8 and younger eating free. Guests can choose a mullet, catfish, or barbecue sandwich plate with potato salad, baked beans, dessert, and tea.

Music is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will conclude at 2:15 p.m. with a 50/50 drawing and an Optimist quilt drawing. Winners do not need to be present to win.

The Optimist Club describes its community service with the slogan, “Bringing Out the Best in Kids for 41 Years.” The volunteer organization says that all festival profits go directly to activities, programs and scholarships for area children and teens.

Registration information for the Mullet Festival 5K Run/Walk and Fun Run is available on the club website at OptimistClubPB.org. Additional information is also available from Robin Newell at 402-677-3944.

The club also offered 40th-annual festival T-shirts. Youth XL and adult small through XL shirts were priced at $20, while adult 2XL, 3XL, and 4XL shirts were priced at $22.

The T-shirt order form directed buyers to make checks payable to OCPB for “MF T-SHIRT.” Orders could be brought to Optimist breakfast meetings on July 11, July 25, or Aug. 8, or mailed to OCPB, Mullet Festival T-Shirt, 12770 S. Perdido Street, Lillian, AL 36549.

The shirt order deadline was Aug. 8. The form stated that shirts would be available for pickup at the pre-Mullet Festival workday at 10 a.m. on Sept. 5 or at the Mullet Festival at the Lillian Community Club.

For mailed orders, buyers were asked to email or text order details to DanielWRandall@gmail.com or 251-234-1122 by Aug. 8. The festival shirt design commemorates the 40th annual event, the club’s 41 years of service, and the nation’s 250th anniversary.