The Friends of Nanih Waiya Community Park held their 6th Annual Nanih Waiya Fall Festival on October 20th. Tensions ran high leading up to the event due to the threat of rainy weather, but it all worked out and the rain held off for most of the day.
Kicking off the event was the Annual Swamptown 5K Run. Several runners took off from the Masonic Lodge Hall on Highway 397 and made the loop through the Palmer and Howard 2 roads in the heart of Nanih Waiya. Trey McMullan finished first overall and Candice Cefalu won the ladies division and was second overall.
The festival itself got started at 9 am with a prayer from Brother Wayne Hill and Molli Childs did a great job signing the National Anthem. From there it was music, games, food and shopping galore!! The Reed Brothers, Michael Jacobs, and Deja Vu Showband all performed on the bandstand while Britt Goodin from Mathiston and Timmy Phillips from Morton provided all the food.
Once the threat of rain diminished the kids came out in full force and enjoyed the rides and games. The Human Gyroscope was a huge hit with long lines all day. At one point some volunteers even brought out some burlap sacks and had good ole fashioned sack races. Of course, everyone's favorite hayride to the pumpkin patch stayed busy all day.
The Friends of Nanih Waiya Community Park sincerely appreciate the support from all the sponsors and volunteers that make this event the highlight of the year. “Without the sponsors and volunteers we could not put on an event like this year after year. You are what make it possible,” said Park Board President Jerry Hemphill. “The volunteer crew we had this year was the best!” he added.
This year's event was sponsored by Crowson Auto World, The Refuge 107.1, The Pack Rat Store, and WoodmenLife as the primary sponsors and a whole host of other businesses and families pitched in and were recognized on banners and the event.
