A record-breaking crowd attended the 21st annual Fall Fest at Mills Park in Bryant on Saturday, which shows how successful events in Saline County can be, said event organizers.
“We had around 14,000 people in Mills Park this year for the event,” said Rae Ann Fields, executive director of the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce. “We drew over 12,500 people last year and around 11,000 in 2006.”
Fall Fest is held annually by the chamber and has become one of the premier events in Saline County, Fields said. With everything from a parade to live music, numerous contests, a variety of festival food, prizes and a parade, Fields said there is something for everyone to enjoy. Event organizers said that each year they try to include a new contest, ride or other entertainment while keeping the favorites of the past.
“We wanted to add something new and fresh,” said Fall Fest chairman David Hannah. “We’ll still have the other favorite contests, too.”
This year, the new kids’ zone featured a zip line by Boy Scout Troop 17; a fishing game by Farmers Insurance, Jason Brown and sponsored by Arkansas Federal Credit Union, Cricket Communication and Kittler Group; video games by Best Buy; and the always popular bounces, jumps, obstacle courses, rock wall and other games. Also at the kids’ zone, Bank of the Ozarks buried change in the hay for the Money in the Hay event.
In the new Outdoor Adventure area, famous exploring Arkansan Chuck Dovish talked to crowds about his television show “Exploring Arkansas” on AETN. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hosted a dog-handling demonstration, and the Rock City Cruisers held a car show.
One popular new contest was the Hannah Montana look-a-like, with Alexis Waller of Salem Elementary, daughter of Laura and Brent Waller named as the winner. She took home a Hello Kitty Guitar and amplifier donated by Bryant Music Center, a $100 gift card and a “blinged-out” trophy from Laser Beam.
Jace Malone, son of Jordan and Cody Malone of Bryant, held off six other babies, all 1 year or younger, to win the Baby Crawl Contest.
Joseph Harrison, son of Melanie Harrison, took the top ribbon for the 7- to 13-year-old division of the Hula Hoop Contest, and Kaylee Klava, daughter of Cheryl Klava of Bryant, took the top ribbon in the 13 years or older division.
Norma Brashier of Bryant won the Apple Pie Contest with her Caramel Apple Pie, and James Lewis of Benton won the 2008 Hot Dog Eating Contest. Lewis defended his 2007 title by downing 11 hot dogs in 3 minutes.
The winners in the Phillips Moudy Duke parade float contest were Crye Leike for first place business float; Andreas School of Dance, second place business float; Salem Elementary, first place school float; Springhill Elementary, second place school float; and Crossbridge Church, first place for organizations.
Winners of the 2-on-2 basketball competition were Chris Farnam and D.J. Watson for the 16-and-under division and Chris Meredith and Josh Lander for the 16-and-over division. Winners were awarded basketballs signed by former University of Arkansas basketball stars Corliss Williamson and Scotty Thurman.
“The Boomtown Bed Race resulted in its usual spills and chills when the Bryant Air Force Junior ROTC’s bed on wheels lost its wheels,” Fields said. “Benton Army ROTC beat out First Security Bank and Civitan for the win.”
Civitan also took home the most creative bed prize for decorating their bed like an army tank.
Fields said it wasn’t just the contests and prizes that brought out a record crowd. She said the variety of festival foods was also appealing to festival participants and visitors. Food offerings included everything from shrimp on a stick, barbecue, polish sausage, nachos, smoothies, catfish, funnel cakes, shaved ice and more.
“When we began the Bryant Fall Fest many years ago, we wanted an event to showcase the businesses in Bryant, but it has since become much more,” Fields said. “The community told us that the festival is one of the ways they meet and get to know their neighbors. It’s how we establish that close-knit community feeling they treasure.”
“It is a good event for positive interaction between the adults in the community and the kids in the community,” Fields said. “It is just a lot of fun and that’s the kind of contribution it makes to the hometown feel of the community.”
For more information about these contests or about obtaining a booth at Fall Fest, contact the chamber of commerce at 847-4702.
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