WALHALLA — GOP hopefuls for the empty Oconee County Council seat in District 1 plan to shake a lot of hands, and if the opportunity presents itself, kiss some babies as they make a final pitch for support during a busy holiday weekend before Tuesday’s primary.

The candidates — Robbie Lee and Steven Moore of Walhalla, and Paul Corbeil of Salem — said Friday they plan to mingle with anticipated large crowds at many of the Fourth of July events on tap in their district.

Their paths probably will cross around noon Saturday at Hillbilly Days festivities in Mountain Rest. Organizers have agreed to give any elected officials and candidates who are present an opportunity to say hello to the crowd at the bandstand. The popular Hillbilly Day extravaganza that runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. is celebrating its milestone 50th anniversary.

Each candidate said they plan to attend Hillbilly Day, as well as the festivities and fireworks display in Salem Saturday night.

Some said they would also squeeze in a parade and boat ride as they take advantage of every chance available to reach out to voters in a race that could go down to the wire.

Corbeil said he was out early Friday holding up a “Vote this Tuesday” sign. He intends to do it again Sunday.

“I’ll try to catch people’s attention as they go home from church,” he said.

Lee said he has mobilized volunteers who plan to contact every constituent that voted in the last election and urge them to come out and vote Tuesday.

“Each candidate has strong backing,” Lee said. “I think it’ll be a toss-up election, but I’m confident we’ll have a strong showing and hopefully win this.”

Steven Moore said he wouldn’t slow down now as the race heads into the final stretch.

“I’m getting ready to head out today to see old friends from the old days when I was elected for the first time,” Moore said. “Win, lose or draw, I’ve had a good time.”

If none of the candidates obtain more than 50 percent of the vote, a run-off between the top-two vote getters would be held July 21. The winner faces off against Democrat Jack Collins in a special election Aug. 25.