Watermelon Fest a big hit

Amanda Goertzen, 8, only had to travel down the street from her home to enjoy the free swing midway ride at the 19th annual Straffordville Watermelon Fest on Saturday, Aug. 27. Attractions of the mostly free day-long event included fresh watermelon slices, cotton candy, the midway rides for children, a parade, live music, a classic car show, food and craft vendors, reptile and birds of prey shows, a petting zoo, seed spitting contests and much more. In the previous image, Jasmine Arlow, left, and Peter Banman carried the Watermelon Fest banner during the parade that kicked off the event that morning.