LAUREL HILL — The incoming cooler weather for the fall season, may have helped the 2014 Laurel Hill Hobo Festival with a successful turnout.
PHOTOS: See 39 photos from the 2014 Laurel Hill Hobo Festival >>
“The weather is perfect for it,” resident Whaylond Davis said.
Davis said he regularly brings his family to the community event, which took place at Gene Clary Park on Saturday.
While Davis has regularly attended the event in the past, it was the first time for Joanna Arntz, who was visiting from Ponce de Leon. Arntz said she was enjoying the family-friendly atmosphere.
“The kids have plenty to do (here),” she said.
While many children visited the play areas and the inflatable attractions, other children were looking to earn money.
Dorcas residents, Kyanna Oliver, 11, and Gracie Cade, 9, sold lemonade.
“We always wanted to do this,” Kyanna said.
The sisters said they would save money they earned from the event.
“It’s been going really good,” Gracie said referring to the amount of money they collected.
Neighboring vendor Sherry Gosh, who sold homemade goods, noticed an increase in attendance from last year’s replacement festival, “A Day in the Country Life” Fall Festival.
“It’s been busier than last year, the traffic has been doubled,” Gosh said. “It’s been a good turnout.”
In addition to visiting vendors, attendees also listened to live music and registered to win prizes donated by local businesses.
Attendees also gave back to the community by donating non-perishable food items towards the cause of Sarah Wayer, 15, who recently won Supreme Beauty in the 2014 Northwest Florida Miss Heart of the USA pageant.
The pageant’s goal is to eliminate hunger by supporting a local food pantry, Wayer said. Now, she is collecting on behalf of the Sharing and Caring organization of Crestview.
Wayer was also thankful for the community’s support.
“There have been quite a few donations…which is really exciting,” Wayer said. “It’s great to see the community get involved.”
Email News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitter or call 850-682-6524.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Residents enjoy cooler weather, entertainment at Hobo Festival (PHOTOS)