ADAMS TWP — A little bit of baseball will soon be added to the holiday season at Mars Area High School.

The second annual Planet Fest — a baseball carnival serving as a fundraiser for the high school baseball team — takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 17 in the high school gym, auxiliary gym and cafeteria.

“It will be bigger than last year and we expect more attendance because we had a lot more time to put it together this year,” Mars Backstop Club board member Chad Lego said.

The Mars Backstop Club consists of seven board members and 30 to 40 other members. All will be involved with assisting during Planet Fest.

“Everybody contributes in some way, shape or form,” Lego said.

Planet Fest will consist of appearances by Mars graduates David and Will Bednar. David is a relief pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates while Will is a pitcher in the San Francisco Giants minor league system.

The idea for the initial Planet Fest came after David Bednar contacted his alma mater, wanting to give something back to the high school baseball program.

“We all put our heads together and came up with Planet Fest,” Lego said. “It all started with David wanting to give back to the community. We didn’t have much time to put it together last year because the Bednars had to get to spring training. The whole thing happened so quickly and was still well-attended.”

The first Planet Fest was held in January. This second one, occurring before Christmas, will feature an appearance by Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Pirate Parrot will be on hand from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Bednars will do a question-and-answer session with the public. Pirate bench coach Don Kelly will also be on hand and will conduct a hitting clinic.

Carnival-like games will be available for the kids with members of the Mars High School baseball team running them.

“This whole thing is for them,” Mars Backstop Club President Gary Orosz said of the high school players. “They enjoy being there. We all enjoy it. It’s important to us that the little kids are there and have fun.”

Raffles, concessions and autographs will also take place. Admission to the event is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available by visiting the Mars Backstop Club web page.

Children 3-and-under will be admitted free.

“Our profit last year was in the $5,000 to $6,000 range and we’re hoping to get there again,” Orosz said. “It all goes into the baseball team. Even if we don’t hit that (financial) target, this is a fun community event that brings people together.

“Without David, Will and Andy (their father), none of this happens. They are generous people who love being part of this community. It’s an amazing story.”