Russellville festival fun for all

Colleen and R.L. Mantle were the people to beat when it came time for the chainsaw and cross cut competitions at the Russellville Frog Leg Festival and Engine Show Saturday. John Otto, Darrell Ivie, Kenny Reichel and Lloyd Nims cut as fast as they could through ash and pine logs.
Colleen and R.L. Mantle were the people to beat when it came time for the chainsaw and cross cut competitions at the Russellville Frog Leg Festival and Engine Show Saturday. John Otto, Darrell Ivie, Kenny Reichel and Lloyd Nims cut as fast as they could through ash and pine logs.

Children and adults alike found things to do and see at the Russellville Frog Leg Festival and Engine Show Saturday.

The Pony Palooza was a popular stop for children like Molly Green, 4, who rode with her mother Samantha Green at her side.

photo

Jockey Cliff Berry is all smiles on Win Wily after coming from behind to win the Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs.

Ryleigh Case, 9, spent the day with her grandmother Dorothy Hartenstein, eventually testing and buying a PVC pipe and foam bow and arrow set made by local vendor Rick Bilderback.

And Mikayla Carel, 9, and her sister Amanda, 7, competed against each other at the Pedal Pull, which drew 20 boys and 8 girls ranging in age from 2-13.

Hobbyists like Blacksmith Bernard Tappel and David Burlingame, who displayed several steam engines with his parents, shared their knowledge and enthusiasm with visitors.

At the live auction hosted by Don Fahrni, a queen-sized quilt stitched by local quilters brought $1,300 for the festival committee.

Music and food filled the senses.

Performances included Bluestem, Apostle's Creek, Robby Bax, Potter's Wheel and 24/7.

And volunteers like Janice Eggen and Jim Campbell took their turn serving up funnel cakes, frog legs and more.