Cars, carnival rides and the chance to dunk local officials proved to be the big draws at the 2nd Annual October Fest in Georgiana last weekend. Sponsored by the Hank Williams International Fan Club, the event offered three days of rides, games and festival foods, and two days of classic and contemporary country and gospel music.

The new addition of a mini-carnival attracted attendees from the start, said event organizer Sherri Brackin.

“We had 171 paying adults on Thursday night alone, and most of them had two or three children with them (who were admitted free),” Brackin said.

Although most of the rides were geared towards younger children, she said a number of teenagers also attended the carnival to enjoy attractions like the Tilt-a-Whirl, giant slide and the carnival games.

“And we had some people who paid admission just so they could go in and buy a fresh funnel cake and then walked right out,” Brackin added.

Concessions manned by the fan club volunteers also did a brisk business, with items like barbecue and hamburgers selling out.

The expanded car show held in conjunction with October Fest was also a hit, Brackin said.

“With us changing the date this year, we got a lot more participation . . . just look at all those cars,” she said, waving her hands in amazement. Along with classic muscle cars, vintage roadsters and pick-up trucks, the show also featured an antique fire engine and meter maid cart.

Another big attraction at October Fest?

“Oh, that dunking booth. They’ve been doing quite well,” Brackin laughed.

The booth-sponsored by the new Georgiana Action Civitan Club as a fundraiser for their upcoming civic projects-kept its volunteers nice and cool, including Civitan president and city council member Byron Ward.

As one of his siblings sent him into the drink with a fast pitch, Ward’s mother Pam chuckled and said, “Now, that’s brotherly love for you.”