
Kyla Horton will entertain the crowds with her country-western singing. Photo by Randy Moll
People in the Gentry area will have no excuse on Saturday to say, “I’ve nothing to do,” because the annual Fall Festival plans include a multitude of activities.
Options for the special day in Gentry include everything from watching a football game, eating hot wings, watching sky divers jump from planes and glide into the park under canopy chutes, checking out a car show, watching a burn-out contest, riding camels and even participating in pageants for girls and boys of all ages.
Music lovers can’t complain about options either. There’s a Meagan White concert, a Kyla Horton concert, a worship and praise concert and a concert that will feature entertainers playing and singing the part of Conway Twitty, Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison.
“We have just added a couple of new events,” said Bev Saunders, Gentry Chamber of Commerce director. “One will be showing the Razorback football game on a TV in the park. Thanks to Cox Cable providing the hookup for us, those die-hard Razorback fans will be able to come to the park, enjoy the activities and still cheer for the Hogs.”
“Another fun event will be the hot wing eating contest hosted and sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings. In addition to the contest, they will also be passing out hot wing samples as long as their supply lasts,” Saunders added. The Hot wing eating contest will be held sometime between 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
“We’re working it into our schedule, so we’re not sure, but this time frame should give those interested a good idea,” she said.
Other events on the long list of activities include the following:

Sky divers from Skydive Skyranch will be dropping in twice on Saturday afternoon.
• Noon — Tug-a-fire truck contest for youth, 14-20, with the winner getting $250 in cash to donate to a local charity, plus T-shirts sponsored by Decatur State Bank / Gentry Bank;
• 1 p.m. — Car burn-out contest and Buffalo Wild Wings hot wing eating contest;
• 2 p.m. — Turning Point Fellowship praise and worship concert;
• 3 p.m. — Sky divers will be dropping in from above;
• 3 p.m. — Talent show with $200 for the winner and $100 for the runner up, sponsored by Arvest Bank;
• 4 p.m. — Tug-a-fire truck finals and car show winners announced;
• 4:30 p.m. – Meagan White concert;
• 5 p.m. Sky divers dropping in again;
• 5:30 p.m. Kyla Horton concert (don’t forget to tell her “Happy Birthday”);
• 7 p.m. Blast From the Past Concert.
All-day events will include a softball tournament (call 479-233-0074); the car show (479-957-3176 or 479-957-3415); inflatables for the children, with a $10 all-day arm band; lots of games hosted by Gentry United Way agencies; arts and craft booths; a pumpkin painting patch hosted by Bloomfield 4-H; wagon rides and camel rides.
The Quilt Fair, sponsored by McKee Foods, will be open Saturday and others days from Oct. 9 through Oct.16 at the Gentry City Library, with hours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day except Sunday.
Miss and Mister Oktoberfest Pageants will be held in the Gentry High School Auditorium all day Saturday. Pageant information is available by calling Darla Wilson at 479-736-8919 or Kay Cripps at 479-736-8585.
By city ordinance, no dogs are allowed in the park during the Fall Festival.
“There are so many fun things to do this year, I hope everyone will come to the park and enjoy the activities and stay for the evening concert,” Saunders said. “Be sure to bring your lawn chair and jacket,” she added.

Cars lined the walk in Gentry's city park for the fall car show last year. Even more cars are expected at the Gentry-Fire-Department-sponsored Show Your Ride Car Show this year at Gentry's Fall Festival
Filed under: News Briefs by randym. Posted on: October 7, 2009 at 10:09 am
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