Fall Festival

The Largest Fall Festival Ever

The 6th Annual Johnson County October Fall Festival turned out to be the most successful one ever. The Johnson County Chamber of Commerce and the City of Vienna sponsored the festival.

The biggest and most talked about event of the weekend had to be the parade on Saturday morning which hosted approximately 151 entries. (The parade coordinators lost count with so many last minute entrants and horses). This parade now holds the title of the largest parade in Johnson County, breaking the old record in 2004 of 103 entries according to The Vienna Times then.

Other than a short rain fall and lightening late Thursday evening, the weather was perfect throughout the event. There was some problems during the day Friday as high winds tumbled some tents and canopies. Vendors were however able to reset and stabilize them before activities started later in the day.

Thursday evening resulted in the largest attendance for opening night ever. Hundreds of people were at the Vienna City Park to participate and enjoy the Master & Miss Talent Show, chili cook-off and carnival.

The 6th annual talent show has become very popular. The children have been over heard saying that they start planning right after their performance for the one they will do the next year. Winners of the talent show and chili cook-off can be found elsewhere in this issue.

The 3rd annual Chili Cook-off had a different outcome this year, with two-time first place winner “Team Breeden” being upset by “Miss Fitz’s Chili” (Tracey Fitzgerald). Second place was won by Ms. Taylor’s Vienna Grade School 6th grade class, which also won the trophy for best table presentation.

The Little Egypt Carnival owners said they were very pleased with the attendance for the first night, and throughout the whole festival.
Friday evening brought out another huge crowd, as carnival goers enjoyed the rides.

With 53 vendor booths, individuals were able to browse through and purchase such items as handcrafted jewelry, handmade wood benches and other wood items, pony rides, baked goods, crafts, candles, oil warmers, toys, etc. and of course the best foods to satisfy any picky eater.

Other booths present included Air-EVAC Life Team Support Helicopter services handed out information on membership and the benefits of the helicopter services. The emergency helicopter made a landing on Saturday afternoon for viewing. The Masonic Lodge Illinois Chip Program (ILCHIP) offered a “free child identification program for parents to obtain a packet and video with everything they would need to help authorities and the news media should their child become lost. The Regional Office of Education was on hand to discuss ad answer questions from parents pertaining to their child’s school and education along with information on the adult educational services. Free hearing tests were given by the State of Illinois Lions' Club traveling motor coach.

The Johnson County Sheriff and our Local Police were on hand to meet and greet with all attending. Sheriff Elry Faulkner's mission was to aid in raising funds for The Cross of Peace Foundation to restore the Bald Knob Cross in Alto Pass.

For those not interested in the rides, Southern Illinois Delta Empowerment Zone (SIDEZ) hosted several events as fund raiser for the Willard Murrie Scholarship Fund. 

The Oreo stacking contest seemed to be a favorite as participants competed by stacking the most oreo cookies in thirty seconds. A one dollar entry fee was added to the pot that the overall winners spit with SIDEZ. Many contestants tried to beat the national record of 29. A Johnson County resident, Justen Vojvodich, proved to be notorious with this feat by stacking 30 Oreo cookies to win the title. Another SIDEZ attraction was a celebrity apron fashion show. Models roamed the crowd to solicited monetary votes for their favorite apron. The Vienna 8th grade class and Chester Lawrence, with Dairy Queen coupons in his apron, collected the winning votes.