Mayfest a success at Patmos

By Staff, 05/15/17 9:34 AM

PATMOS – For the fourth consecutive year, the Patmos community has held a Mayfest celebration in the community park Saturday.

Last year, according to Randy Peters, one of the coordinators, around 60 people showed up for the movie alone. But the movie wasn’t the only thing going on at this year’s festival.

A quartet of people registered for the disc golf tournament. The University of Arkansas Community College of Hope’s welding class made the baskets for disc golf, Peters said.

The week prior to the festival, he added, was spent cleaning up, and a considerable amount was needed with the recent storms that have come through the area. The festival was scheduled to go from 4-7 p.m. and be followed by a showing of “The Secret Life of Pets” when it got dark enough.

The fest got off to a slow start, even though the weather was close to perfect for a festival. Hot dogs and hamburgers were grilled for those who attended. Peters said he bought buns for 64 of each. Chips and soft drinks were also available for those who showed up. Most took advantage of the tables set up in the shade.

While there was no cost to attend, or eat, donations were accepted, with a jar set up to collect them. The money, Peters said, will go toward getting bathrooms for the park, something necessary. To help fund this, he added, a soda machine will be obtained for the park as well, with the money raised from it going toward the cost of restrooms.

The park is about 12 acres in size and was named for Elizabeth Peters, the former Mayor of Patmos, who had the idea for the park and worked to get grants for its construction. The park’s walking trail was named in her honor.

One of the highlights of the festival is the annual pie contest. This year four pies were entered. Judges got to enjoy sampling the pies as well as having the problem of picking a winner. Face painting was available for those youngsters who wanted a temporary “tattoo”.

The food for the festival was donated by area businesses, and sponsorships were also sold for $50 each.

Most of the youngsters, though, took advantage of the playground equipment, or simply enjoyed running around the park.

The crowd got bigger as the evening progressed, with the food table a popular spot. Most, though, were there for the movie and popcorn.

There was an unexpected visitor to the festival. Shortly after the disc golf tourney started a cat came out of the woods and began following the players. The cat eventually ventured over where others were and allowed itself to be picked up and carried, as long as it was fed. No one knew who the cat belonged to, and it was treated to a hot dog and water, along with quite a bit of affection.