FULTON, Ky.---They've seen the best of times and the worst of times, and hope a festival that once drew tens of thousands of people will help re-energize their community.
Folks in Fulton, Kentucky witnessed one employer after another pack up and leave town, and state statistics paint an even bleaker picture for people living there.
Recent unemployment numbers show Fulton County, Kentucky with the highest unemployment rate in the state, 15.4 percent. 

Leaders look to the 50th Annual Banana Festival to make people smile and bring back much needed life.
There's an outbreak of banana fever.

"The bananas are back and everybody is going bananas around here,"  event organizer Christie Rodgers said.

She worked hard to bring the festival back because her grandfather helped start it.

"My grandfather was really involved in bringing the first festival here back in 1962," Rodgers said.

The Banana Festival lasts a solid week, and organizers have something planned for every hour. 

Like the store front decorating contest. Just about everyone is on board, inspiration for someone who wants to make her town great once again.

"In the hard times that we are having it's exciting to see so many people come together as a community," Rodger said.

There are lots of events planned throughout the next week. If you want free banana pudding, you'll want to be sure and go to the grand parade, next Saturday September 29Th at 5:00 p.m.
Folks there are making a one ton container of banana pudding.  The recipe requires 880 pounds of bananas.

We have a link to the festival website, here.