On the fence around the tennis courts at Mills Park in Bryant, there was a sign informing those who[more] returned to the original site of the 24th annual Fall Fest that the event had been moved to Bishop Park.
It was there just in case folks hadn’t gotten the word in advance. And considering that there are many from outside of the area who have attended the festival over the years, It was a wise move.
Nevertheless, Bryant Chamber of Commerce executive director Rae Ann Fields acknowledged that attendance was down somewhat at the new venue on Saturday.
“It was down due to the Arkansas-Alabama game,” she reported. “Anytime Arkansas plays Alabama, the attendance is down.”
Organizers had hoped to make that less of a factor by adding a Razorback Watch Party inside The Center at Bishop, with a big screen TV and an invitation to fans to come decked out in the Hog gear.
As with any change of venue, Fields acknowledged, some things worked better and others presented some challenges. She mentioned the new Duct Tape Boat Race and the fishing derby as two activities that went well.
Of course, there were complications that had to be worked out over the years at Mills Park and though they may be different ones, perhaps unique to the new venue, those figure to be resolved at future Fall Fests as well.
Fields mentioned that the Fall Fest Committee will begin work on what adjustments need to be made for the 2012 event.
Bryant’s 24th Annual Fall Fest Contest Winners:
1) Lander’s Duct Tape Boat Race (7 entered) – The Gray Goose captained by Tyler and Jimmy Fields
Most Creative Boat – Landers Auto Sales of Saline County
Prize was trophy and $150 (returned to the Chamber as a donation)
2) Arvest Go Green Parade (20 entered) first place school Hurricane Creek Elementary; second place school Paron Elementary; first place business Arvest Bank, second place business, First Electric Cooperative Corp.; first place organization, Civitan
Prizes were trophies and $50 for first and $25 for 2nd Place (some returned to Chamber as donations)
3) First Electric Cooperative Baby Crawl Contest (seven entered) – Winner was Noah Wood, son of B. J. and Amberle Wood of Bryant.
The prize is a $50 gift certificate to spend at any Bryant Chamber member business.
4) First Electric Cooperative Hula Hoop Contest (17 entered) . Overall Winner was Ellie Mayberry,12, daughter of Andy and Julie Mayberry of Hensley. Winners in other age categories were Amanda Rardin, daughter of Sherry Rardin and Jamie Cheek daughter of Pam Hicks of Bryant(tie), 14, and Alana Merrit, 37, of Hot Springs.
Prize for the overall winner – a $50 gift certificate to spend at any Bryant Chamber member business.
5) Arvest Bank Zhu Zhu and Kung Zhu obstacle race contest (eight entered) McKayla Shipe, 8, daughter of Sandy Shipe of Bryant.
The prize was a $50 gift certificate to spend at any Bryant Chamber member business.
6) Alcoa Federal Credit Union Razorback Bling Contest – (10 entered) Moriah Crossland of Bryant was the winner.
Prize: a $50 gift certificate to spend at any Bryant Chamber member business
7) Alcoa Federal Credit Union Hog Calling Contest – (nine entered) Aaron Andrews, son of Mary Andrews of Bryant was the winner.
Prize: a $50 gift certificate to spend at any Bryant Chamber member business
8) Ramsay Tire Football Throw (94 entered) . Three made the required three footballs thru the tire – Alex O’Shey, Keely Langston and Garrett Heller. The winner of the drawing for the $50 prize was Alex O’Shey whose unusual technique – a double handed, underhand toss – won the day.
Prize: a $50 gift certificate to spend at any Bryant Chamber member business.
9) Winner of the drawing for a year’s Chick Fil A was Amber DeMar of Bryant.
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