GRAVETTE — Chilly weather didn't discourage area children and their families from attending the annual fall festival on Saturday, Oct. 28, in the front parking lot at Ozarks Community Hospital in Gravette. An estimated 1,000 people, including many youngsters in costume, added to the festive atmosphere of the event.
A number of activities were held for the children's enjoyment, including pumpkin painting, face painting, a cake walk, games, a photo booth, and trunk-or-treat booths. Sixteen businesses and organizations had trunk-or-treat booths, and several set up booths with games to play or souvenirs to buy.
Representatives from Wild Wilderness Drive-through Safari at Gentry brought three dromedaries -- Arabian camels -- and children and adults alike enjoyed petting their soft coats of hair. Safari employees said they had planned to bring other animals to the event, but the weather was too cold for them to bring the other animals out. But the dromedaries seemed to be fond of the cooler temperatures, as they cavorted around their enclosure and nipped at each other.
Free hot dogs, chips, soft drinks and coffee were served, and a snow cone vendor offered frozen refreshments for sale. Music was provided by Century Sounds.
There were five entries in the chili cookoff, a popular annual event. Guests could buy a tasting kit for $1 and sample each of the pots of chili. They then cast votes for their favorite chili and booth. Karen Baggett, representing Metal Building Supply, won the award for best chili and received a $150 cash prize. Kathryn Parish, Jimmy Holland and Tiffany Mundey, the team serving Black Kat's Treasure chili, won the award and a $100 cash prize for the most creative booth decorations.
Sponsors of the event included Gravette United Methodist Church, Gravette Chamber of Commerce, Gravette Kiwanis Club, Ozarks Community Hospital, Teasley Drug, Harvest Baptist Church, Bank of Gravett, Ozarks New Hope, Yates Tax Service, Peek-a-Bootique, John E. Tracy American Legion Post, 4-H Club, Gravette Boys and Girls Club, City of Gravette, Gravette First Christian Church, Arvest Bank, Metal Building Supply, Sophie's Boutique, Humana, Gravette Historical Museum, Grand Savings Bank, Rain Works, Pups and Pals Grooming, Gravette Lions Club, Impervicote and Austin Drug.
Community on 11/08/2017