The 28th annual Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Bishop Park, 6401 Boone Road, will include a Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned competition, a backyard barbecue competition and an accompanying beer garden this year. The title sponsor for the barbecue event, Arkansas Craft Distributing, will bring craft beers from Summit and Oskar Blues. $7,500 in prize money will be awarded in the KCBS event.
The event committee has also announced the addition of a human Bubble Ball area, sponsored by GracePoint Church, and a human Foosball area provided by the City of Bryant. Fall Fest is presented by Landers of Saline County.
General admission and parking are free. KidZland wrist bands are $6 (reduced price) to cover face paint, games, bounces, train ride, etc. A separate $10 wristband is sold for the Human Bubble Ball. A $5 ticket will also allow entrance for laser tag. KidZland is made possible by McDonalds of Bryant, Indian Springs First Baptist Church, and Geyer Springs First Baptist Church.
Beginning at 7 a.m., visitors are invited to a pancake breakfast put on by the Senior Adult Center at their location inside the center. The maple syrup is homemade from a family recipe by a senior center member. All you can eat pancakes for $5.
Also at 7 a.m., the Hamilton Family Dentistry Kids Fishing Derby begins. For two hours the kids under 16 can fish and perhaps land two tagged fish that will get them a $100 prize.
Then at 8:15 a.m., the Parade, sponsored by Rep. Andy Davis, lines up beginning on Woodland Park Road. Parade begins at 9 a.m.
“We highly recommend you get to the park before 9. The parade will block traffic for some time,” noted Carlton Billingsley, chairperson. The parade will wind from Woodland Park Road down Boone Road into the park and all the way to the back of the park.
KidzLand opens after the parade with a train ride, blow-ups, bounce houses, face painting. Carnival food will be accompanied by concession style food served by four not-for-profit groups this year.
At 10 a.m., and all day on every hour, the First Security Bank Treasures in the Sand event will give drawing winners a chance to dig for prizes. At the end of the day the grand prize winner will be named. Contestants must be present to win.
When the parade enters the park, stage activities sponsored by Heartland Bank, Candace Stanley Allstate Insurance, Baxley Penfield Moudy Real Estate, and Landers Auto Sales begins with the spirit groups from the Bryant and Bethel schools performing.
At 11 a.m., the fifth annual Ken Palmquist Duct Tape Boat Race by Candace Stanley Allstate Insurance and Brooke Andrews State Farm Insurance hits the water at the front pond. These watercraft of every imagining will stay afloat only on the power of duct tape, PVC pipe and their inventor’s ingenuity. There will be cash prizes.
Now the contests for kids begin. First is the First Electric Cooperative Corp., baby crawl contest. Contestants must be under one year. Parents may encourage and entice with a favorite toy but cannot touch. The Hula Hoop contest brings kids and an occasional adult up to the stage to show their mastery of this simple hoop.
All day, people will be bringing and blinging pumpkins in the Saline County Art Project area, made possible by Bryant Auto Sales. The final judging will be done just before 4 p.m. Companies are encouraged to bling pumpkins with their logos.
All day, talent will be showcased on stage. Acoustic acts are now being booked.
For more information or entry forms, go to the Chamber website at www.bryantchamber.com or call the Chamber at 847-4702.
