By Ashley McCarty
The 107th Seaman Fall Festival has come and gone with the same wistfulness of a fleeting summer.
The streets, once flooded with laughing children and the smiling faces of patrons dissipates into the quiet breeze of fall, calling to an end another successful year.
“I think it went well. I think the crowd was down somewhat. I think without any rides, that hurt us a little bit, but as far as financially it didn’t hurt us any because we really don’t make anything on the rides. I think the attendance was down a little bit, because the weather was perfect. We couldn’t ask for better weather. So, as far as that goes, the attendance was down a little bit, but really everything went really well,” said Festival First Vice President Mark Davis.
Along with the rides, the Floral Hall and bake sale also had to be canceled due to COVID-19 restraints, though despite the participants it would have garnered, the festival still bustled with attendance, especially for all always popular pulls.
“We had 127 pullers Saturday for our [open tractor pull], which we combined to one class this year. Normally we have a lightweight and a middleweight, and we would have upwards of 130 in that, because we’d have anywhere from 80 to 90 in the light weight, and then we’d have 40 or 50 in the middle weight. So, the combined classes helped somewhat. It took the numbers down a little bit, but we were still there until 4:30 a.m., so it was pretty successful,” said Davis,
Davis reported that they sold out of everything at the track-side cafe.
“The karaoke seemed to go pretty well. There were a lot of people there for that. It was a big hit last year and we brought it back this year, and it seemed like it was the same way. I heard people comment and say they liked all of the bands we had. Satisfied was very good. It’s [members are April Baldwin, Brad Renchen, Jamie Renchen and Malaki Renchen.] They’re just amazing. They’re a Christian band, and I got to hear a little bit of them. She would bring a tear to your eye, so it was very good,” said Davis.
Davis said people did their best to social distance.
“I think they tried,” he said with a laugh, “of course, I know most of the people, and they all stay in their little groups anyway. So, you know, it was mostly families here and there. The tractor pulls, you know, buddies talk, they stand there and talk to each other, but those guys see each other all the time. They pull every weekend somewhere. So, it really wasn’t too much different. At the kiddie pedal pull, of course all the parents want to crowd around the rope to watch their kid, so it didn’t work real well there, but other than that it wasn’t too bad,” said Davis.
The Seaman Fall Festival Board will meet as soon as October or November to begin planning for next year, discussing what went well, and what may need to be changed for next year.
“I’m always looking forward to next year until it just about gets here, and then you get nervous, and think of all you need to do, and what have you forgot. Other than that, I always look forward to it,” said Davis.