Miranda Brighton watched her 7-year-old son, Alex, Saturday afternoon as he rode a pony at the Newton River Fest.
Brighton, her son and 4-year-old daughter, Lynsey, were just a few of the people who attended the Hurburt Casy Newton River Fest on Saturday.
The two-day festival, which was held on the bank of the Choctawhatchee River at John Hutto Park in Newton, included a variety of music entertainment along with a stump chunkin’ contest, a log cross-cutting contest along with Karoke.
“I think it’s good, and obviously the band is awesome,” Brighton said as she referred to the Bo Brannon band. “We just came to listen to the band. I think it’s a good thing for the kids.”
Mary Watson, of Newton, enjoyed some nachos and cheese as she listened to the Bo Brannon band.
“I enjoyed the music especially last night. We were here to hear Shane Owens,” Watson said. “They’ve had some pretty good music, they just need something else to help draw the people.”
Mike Cherry, the vice president of the Regional Land and Water Rescue Unit, gave people at the festival safety tips for activities on the river. He said inclement weather caused festival officials to cancel the planned river raft races on the Choctawhatchee River.
“We were here for safety,” Cherry said. “We took a few people out on air boat rides.”
Cherry reminded people not to drink while boating on the river. He also encouraged people to be aware of the strong current in some areas of the river, which can be as deep as 12 feet.
Wally Walters, who goes by “Wally G,” said he thought the poor weather likely kept some people from attending the festival. Walters, who organized the festival with James “Daddy Rabbitt” Brannon, said the attendance was better on Friday night when Shane Owens performed at the park.
The entertainment throughout the festival included the performance by Owens, the Bo Brannon band and the Big & Loud band.
Walters said he planned to try and get word out a little earlier next year when he and Brannon organize the festival for the second time. Walter said they also planned to try and hold a car show at the 2011 festival.
“It’s just to have a good fun event at the park, pure country fun,” Walters said.”Next year we’re going to try and have some arts and crafts vendors.”
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement