Dead Pedal Dust Up in Chesaning, Oct. 3: dirt track, $10 gate

A family that organizes a fundraiser for children with heart defects is opening the gates at the Saginaw County Fairgrounds in Chesaning on Saturday, Oct. 3, with a car show, an open dirt track, live music and trunk or treating. Admission is $10, and kids 12 and under get in free.

The event is called The Dead Pedal Dust Up, billed on its flyer as a "Festival of Hearts + Hot Rods." Gates open at 10 a.m. and the day runs to about 5 p.m., organizer Justin Carlton said in a message to The Current.

The money goes to kids with congenital heart defects — heart problems a child is born with. "We adopt a family each year & help with their medical expenses for their child who is going through a recent heart surgery & then we as well donate to Mott Children's Hospital & the Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor," Carlton said. The event's website says the Carlton family created it to support children and families affected by congenital heart defects.

The dirt track is open to cars, motorcycles, mini bikes and kids' power wheels. Also on the grounds: three bounce houses, an art auction, a pin up girl contest, a face painter, vendors and live music. Car show registration is $25, and cars register between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Camping is $39 a night, and the fairgrounds have 65-plus electric sites, showers, bathrooms, and water fill and dump stations, according to the-dust-up.com. Campers who come in Friday night get a "Monster's Ball" Halloween costume party at 8 p.m., all ages, campers only.

What to know

Saturday, Oct. 3. Saginaw County Fairgrounds, 11350 Peet Road, Chesaning, MI 48616 — just over the Shiawassee line in Saginaw County. Public gates 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spectators $10, 12 and under free. Car show $25, registration 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Camping $39 per night. Pre-registration and details at the-dust-up.com; questions to [email protected] or the event's Facebook page, @deadpedaldustup.