CHOCOWINITY — Haw Branch Church of Christ in Chocowinity is welcoming the fall season in grand style by hosting several special events this month.

First up is the church’s third annual Road Warrior 5K race and car show, scheduled for Saturday, according to event coordinator Jeff Hardy. Monies raised this weekend will benefit Unity Christian Academy, the church-operated Christian school.

Billed as a “great day of food, fun and fellowship for the whole family,” this weekend’s festivities promise something for everyone.

Registration for the 5K race and a one mile fun run begins at 7 a.m., with race time set for 8 a.m. Automobile owners may register their entries from 10 a.m. to noon, and the awards presentation is planned for 3 p.m. Also planned throughout the day are free activities for children as well as the sale of barbecued chicken plates, hot dogs and baked goods.

“Everything we collect, through registrations and through food, goes to Unity Christian Academy,” Hardy said. The school serves approximately 85 students enrolled in prekindergarten through high school.

The auto show will award a series of trophies, including top 50, best car, best truck, best late model (1996 and newer), best paint, best engine and best interior. And then there is the coveted Warrior Award.

“That is basically a people’s choice or school choice award,” Hardy explained. “Six judges, four faculty members and two students, will pick their five favorite cars and rate them. Whichever car gets the most votes wins the Warrior Award.”

Saturday’s fundraising event comes during a busy week at Haw Branch. Revival runs from Wednesday through Friday evenings at 7 p.m., and a special homecoming service is planned for Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Speaking will be Aaron Stokes, a Chocowinity native who attended Haw Branch Church of Christ and who now serves as youth minister at Lake Christian Church in Palmyra, Va.

But the church’s seasonal celebrations don’t end this weekend, according to Hardy. Haw Branch will host a fall festival Oct. 30 from 6 to 9 p.m.

“This is something new we’re doing this year,” Hardy said. “We’ve done other similar things in the past but now we have the facilities to do more stuff inside.”

The festival, which Hardy said is a gift to the community from the church congregation, will be held in the new family life/gymnasium facility. The event will feature booths and games, face painting, cake walk and hay rides. Costumes are welcome, but the church has requested that no scary characters be portrayed for this event.

Everyone attending will be given a ticket for a free hot dog, chips and soft drink, Hardy added.

“This is the first year we’ve done the fall festival, so we’re hoping for a big turnout,” he said.

For more information about these upcoming events hosted by Haw Branch, call 252-945-5083 or visit the church’s web site or Facebook page. Inquiries about the car show may be directed to Hardy by calling 252-402-5952.

Details may also be found by visiting www.ucawarriors.com.

Haw Branch Church of Christ and Unity Christian Academy are located at 1501 Haw Branch Road in Chocowinity.