Gentry's festival draws new faces

A young rider hangs on for a wild ride in this year's new attraction at the festival, mutton bustin' in the park.
A young rider hangs on for a wild ride in this year's new attraction at the festival, mutton bustin' in the park.

— Cars and trucks of all makes and models cruised up and down Gentry's Main Street Saturday night, some taking occasion to burn a little rubber in front of spectators sitting along the street at the ball fields.

Young and old lined the streets to watch the muscle cars and trucks - some antiques and some recent models - cruise by.

In some ways, the night was reminiscent of years gone by when cruisingmain streets and visiting with friends was a regular Friday and Saturday night occurrence.

A number of groups sold food and refreshments street-side, including a local 4-H club and the Senior Activity Center.

Fall Festival

On Sunday afternoon, the park was filled with people in attendance at the Annual Gentry Chamber of Commerce Fall Festival. With almost perfect weather, there was no excuse to stay away and it appeared few did.

Mutton bustin' was a new activity this year, and it drew large crowds as children, ages 4 and 5, took their turns riding a running and sometimes bucking sheep. Some held on for high scores, but most were thrown shortly after exiting the gate.

Yes, there were some tears as the youngsters found that sheep riding is not as easy as it looks, but there were smiles and cheers too especially when a youngster demonstrated the tenacity to hang on for dear life and complete a ride across the make-shift arena.

Musical entertainment was provided all afternoonTiffany Donohew Fisher sang at noon, and a large number of local performers went on stage in the early afternoon to compete in the Gentry's Got Talent contest Winners in the competition were Sarah Goodman, first place; Faith Harvey, second and Millie Halmer, third.

Bluegrass and gospel music continued through the afternoon, with the Flint Hill Ramblers taking the stage at 2:30 and Dale Johnston at 4.

Children played soccer climbed the rock wall and enjoyed the inflatable games and rides. There were face painting, pumpkin painting, photo sittings with Mickey and Minnie, a petting zoo from Wild Wilderness Safari and a variety of other activities for children and adults as well.

Once again, classy cars and pickup trucks lined the circular walk in the park entrants in the annual Show Your Ride Car Show sponsored by the Gentry Volunteer Fire Department.

Winners in the Fourth Annual Gentry Volunteer Fire Department Car Show were:

Modern Truck - 1. Nate Peters, 2002 Chevy Truck 2. Joseph Adler, 1996 Chevy S-10;

Classic Truck - 1. Howard Woods, 1966 Chevy Truck, 2. Kaleb Morgan, 1979 GMC Sierra, 3. David Wright, 1951 Chevy halfton;

Modern Car - 1. Jim McLure, 2011 Chevy Camaro, 2. Kenneth Blossom, 2005 Ford Mustang, 3. Bob Jamerson, 2011 Camaro;

Classic Car - 1. Bob White, 1967 Chevy Nova II, 2. Rick Walden, 1931 Ford A Coupe, 3. Dale Draper, 1923 Ford Model T;

Police Chief’s Choice - 1931 Ford A coupe;

Fire Chief’s Choice - 2011 Chevy Camaro;

Mayor’s Choice - 1966 Chevy Truck;

People’s Choice - 2007 Ford Mustang; and

Best Of show - 2011 Chevy Camaro.

Local car show sponsors were: O'Reilly’s Auto, Night Prowlers Restoration, and Butler Broadcasting (104.9, The X).

Just down Main Street, in the McKee Community Room at the Gentry Public Library, the annual quilt show drew visitors as well. The room has many quilts on display, including handsewn and machine-quilted, old and new.

The annual Fall Festival is a kickoff event for the Gentry United Way fund drive.

Community News, Pages 12 on 10/12/2011