Thursday's Internet Edition, August 28, 2008.

Heritage Park was the setting for two days of old-fashioned fun last Friday and Saturday. It marked the eighth year for the festival, its second since moving to May from its previous September date.

“I thought it went very well,” Brent Wilson, a member of a six-person committee that planned the event, said. “I was pleased with all the new activities we had and I thought the turnout was pretty good.”

Friday afternoon and evening were mostly dreary before sunshine and mild temperatures became abundant on Saturday.

The festival committee sought to revitalize the event by restoring some traditional activities and adding some new ones. Wilson said craft displays were better than past years and that the assortment of food offered by local vendors was first rate.

An encampment by Civil War re-enactors drew a lot of interest from those who attended.

“I think the encampment was very nice,” Wilson said. “When they fired that cannon, it was really loud. It shook everything like a mini-earthquake.”

Music and dance were also a popular part of the festival, Wilson said. Good crowds were on hand at the community building on Friday and Saturday nights to listen to local bands and take to the dance floor.

Many also watched Saturday performances that included dancers stomping on a wooden stage outside and a Native American group drumming in the park.

Wilson said the committee would have a wrap-up session soon to make plans for next year’s festival. Members of the public who would like to offer suggestions are encouraged to call the Spencer Municipal Building at 927-1640.

“There’s always room for improvement,” Wilson said. “It’s good to be proactive and make changes for improvement. Every year that’s an important part of something like this.”

Joanna Camp of Spencer was the winner of a contest staged during the festival to identify photos of Spencer High School teachers. Jean Epling of Spencer was second and Kenneth West of Gandeeville was third.

Ben Cunningham won the horseshoe pitching competition, with Kaleena Tolley second, Bob Whytsell third and Tony Lesher fourth.