Pony rides, face painting and sand art only begin to describe the activities offered Saturday at the Clermont City Celebration.
Concord Baptist Church teamed up with the city of Clermont to organize the fall festival and parade.
"We wanted to give back to the community, that’s our whole deal," said James Dollar, worship pastor at Concord Baptist Church. "We wanted to say ‘thank you’ for allowing us to do what we do in the community."
This is the first year that the city of Clermont and Concord Baptist Church co-sponsored this event. The city in the past held its Clermont Days, while the church held Sunday at the Park. The events are usually held two weeks apart, so this year, they were combined to create the Clermont City Celebration.
Dollar said there was something for everyone at the event.
"There is free stuff for the kids, vendors for the adults, the parade and the car show," Dollar said.
Before the parade, children participated in many different activities. A young girl got her face painted like a tiger, a boy rode a mechanical bull and others laughed while sliding down inflatable slides.
People lined up for spin art, rock climbing and the chance to win a goldfish. A crowd even began to form around a dog doing frisbee tricks.
Jeff, Tammy and Whitney Wiggins were looking forward to watching the parade.
"It’s a family atmosphere," said Tammy Wiggins, who likes the fact that the festival is a safe environment for everyone.
Whitney Wiggins, a senior at North Hall High School, said she enjoyed looking at the purses, the arts and crafts, and watching the parade.
"It’s very fun," Jeff Wiggins said. "They have a lot of things for kids, and it’s a clean environment. Our grandkids love it."
The festival included funnel cakes, chicken tenders, cotton candy, boiled peanuts, and many other munchies.
The parade featured bands from different schools, floats from area businesses, horses, old cars, and the first ever "Miss Clermont." And 98-year-old Mary Strickland, the Grand Marshall of Clermont, took part.
Eager children waited as police officers and float riders tossed candy onto the sidelines.
Mledge Adams, who enjoys "seeing the people" at the parade, has been coming to the event for five or six years. She specifically likes being able to see her neighbors.
"You’re busy during the week, and you don’t get to see them, so this is a good place to congregate and see them all," Adams said.
Her daughter, Jennifer Adams, also was at the parade.
"Clermont is a really small town, and we’re really family-based," she said. "Everybody really knows each other, so it’s good to get out and not only see your neighbors, but see how people have grown as a family and what they are doing with their lives."