Kids events added to 23rd Fall Fest

The Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce’s 23rd annual Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 25, will be at Mills Park, its traditional location, this year. Fall Fest has a contest for just about every kid. The contests include some old favorites and some new twists.

New this year on the tennis courts (weather allowing) is a pinewood car race. “Many kids have built pinewood racers for various organizations they belong to. We want them to bring them out and race them again,” noted Jim Garland, director of the race.[more]

Also new is a Zhu Zhu pet race. This is not the traditional straight line race. Instead the battery operated “pet hamsters” that were all the craze at Christmas time will go until the last one is standing. As they bump against obstacles in the course and flip on their sides, they will be eliminated. “Last one standing wins,” noted Carla Harris, Fall Fest Chairperson.

The Hula Hoop Contest and Baby Crawl Contests return. Kids in three age division go through progressively harder challenges with the hula hoops to determine each division’s winner.

“Baby Crawl may be the simplest and sweetest contest we do” noted Harris. Sponsored by First Security Bank, the contest consist of baby’s crawling toward a parent or loved one offering a favorite toy or keys. No one is allowed to touch the babies after the start.

“One year two crawled to the middle of the quilt, stopped and sat up and looked at each other. The third contestant won but the two made a new friend,” noted Harris.

Although not a contest for kids, kids might enjoy watching community leaders getting a pie in the face. The fundraiser to benefit the Bryant Chamber office face lift asks locals to vote on a list of potential pie recipients by putting money in a jar. The top three and the bottom one fundraisers will get a pie in the face.

Since its inception, Fall Fest has showcased the businesses in Bryant. Business booths are available regardless of whether the business is a member of the Chamber or not.

While business exhibits are a constant, new features are added each year. “We are looking forward to a great Fall Fest with a great new addition,” noted Chairperson Carla Harris. The new addition is a concert by Tragikly White, sponsored by Landers Auto Sales of Saline County at the conclusion of the festivities from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.

The event will feature other new contests offered by businesses as well – a Madden video football tournament hosted by Best Buy among them.

Kidzland will feature the usual blowups, bounce houses and activities requiring tickets for admittance. But the “free” activities such as bubble blowing and chalk painting will expand this year.

The Fall Fest Parade, sponsored by Alcoa Federal Credit Union, will follow the route used last year beginning at Sullivan, down Reynolds and to Mills Park. The winning Bryant High School Baseball and Softball teams will be grand marshals for the parade.

Fall Fest admission is free. Some activities require a ticket or armband. Call the Bryant Chamber of Commerce at 847-4702 for more information.