POPEYE KING OF FESTIVAL IN CHESTER, ILL.

CHESTER, Ill. -- Motorists near Chester will know they are in Popeye country when they approach this small southern Illinois community this weekend.

Three 50-foot helium balloons depicting Popeye, Olive Oyl and Swee' Pea, three of the primary Popeye cartoon characters, will be be featured during the annual Popeye Picnic, which started Friday and continues today and Sunday.

This year's extravaganza marks the 100th anniversary of Elzie Segar, Popeye's creator. It's also the 65th year for Popeye himself, who has been featured in more films than any other animated character or human film star in history.

Joseph D'Angelo, president of King Features, will attend the Chester event today, where he plans to make a major, multi-billon-dollar entertainment announcement concerning a Popeye business deal with a major entertainment company.

Although the entertainment company was not named, the Universal Studio Theme Park at Orlando, Fla. has been mentioned.

D'Angelo and the president of the major entertainment company, will announce the deal at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in Chester, just prior to the 11:30 parade of Popeye characters.

Thousands of people are expected to visit Chester during the weekend festival.

The schedule includes:

Saturday

8 a.m. -- Popeye 10K run.

9 a.m. -- Volksmarch.

10 a.m. -- Flea Market, arts and crafts and Popeye Museum opens.

11 a.m. Parade

4 p.m. -- Sweetpea Chariot Race.

6 p.m. -- Popeye Fan Club dinner.

Sunday

7:30 a.m. -- Popeye Fan Club breakfast.

9 a.m. - Car show at Chester High School and model plane show south of Cohen Ball Field.

10 a.m. -- Arts & crafts, flea market, museum open.

2 p.m. -- Sacred concert.

6 p.m. -- Muny Band concert.

9 p.m. -- Fireworks.