By Brooke Shirley

The Annual St. Jude’s Fall Fest was held Sept. 8-9 at the Zwolle Fairgrounds. Friday evening kicked off with a LRD Dance Performance followed by Gyth Rigdon, who opened for Joey Dean and The Heat. Saturday was jam packed full of fun events for the entire family to participate in. Bright and early that morning folks lined up for the Walk of Hope, which lasted until it was time for the parade. Candy and beads were thrown to eager children standing on the side lines.

Other activities of the day included a game of Bingo, a Mud Bog, a performance by Renee’s Dance Studio, and door prizes including cash and a gun. Later in the evening, three local bands showcased their talents as fans packed the area in front of the stage.

The Pine Knotz Band was up first followed by LA Express. Debra Laborde said, “They were a phenomenal group.”

Bringing the festivities to an end, Tommy G and Stormy Weather played late into the evening as people danced and visited.

2017 Miss St. Jude Fall Fest Queen Autumn Wyatt and King Trenton Harvey were out and about both days ensuring that everyone was having a good time and assisting any way they could.

This year, butterflies were released into the sky because they are meant to represent life and new beginnings, which is exactly what St. Jude is trying to offer to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20% to more than 80% since the hospital opened in 1962. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital in its search for “Finding Cures: Saving Children.”