Courtesy of the Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce
The 27th annual Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Bishop Park, 6401 Boone Road, is a day packed with events, activities and contests for the entire family. New this year are carnival rides for children.
General admission and parking are free. KidZland wrist bands are $15 to cover basic face paint, games, bounces, train rides, balloon animals etc. A separate $15 wristband is sold for the carnival rides for all day. Or, if a child wants to ride once a $3 ticket will be sold or if they want to ride twice a $5 ticket will be sold. Separate tickets of $5 will include an elaborate face painting. A $5 ticket will also allow entrance for laser tag. Carnival rides and KidZland are made possible by Childcare Network, Arkansas Christian Academy, Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, Midtowne Church and TruService Community Federal Credit Union.
Beginning at 7 a.m., visitors can enjoy the 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.
Then at 8:30-9 a.m. the Parade, sponsored by Rep. Andy Davis, line-up begins on Woodland Park Road. Parade begins at 10 a.m. with barbecue, corndogs, shaved ice, Dippin’ Dots ice cream, beignets, popcorn, chili, nachos, funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos, etc.
“We highly recommend you get to the park before 10,” noted Allison Ramsey, chairperson. “The parade will block traffic for some time.” 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 at 11 a.m. with a train ride, blow-ups, bounce houses, face painting, balloon animals. Food Court opens at 10 a.m.
Also at 10 a.m., and all day on every hour, the Heartland 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 receive an iPad mini. You must be present to win.
When the parade enters the park, stage activities begin with the spirit groups from the Bryant and Bethel schools performing.
At 11, the fourth annual Ken Palmquist Duct Tape Boat Race by Landers Auto of Saline County 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. New this year is a Kayak with fishing well and rod holder for the grand prize in the Adult Division.
Noon is the beginning of the Hamilton Family Dentistry Kids Fishing Derby. If fisher people under 16 catch the tagged fish (there are two) between noon and 2 p.m. they win $100!
Also scheduled is the Political Cake Auction. Winners get to speak from the stage for as long as they can hold their hand in a bucket of ice water.
Now the contests for kids begin. First is the First Electric Cooperative Corp., baby crawl contest. They 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. The Art Project of Saline County area will encompass other art-related fun as well. Companies are encouraged to bling pumpkins with their logos.
All day, great talent will be showcased on stage. At least three young singing artists will take the stage.
Whew! It’s an active day for the 27th time.
For more information you may go to the Chamber website at www.bryantchamber.com or call the Chamber at 847-4702.
