A warm, sunny afternoon, a plate of grilled chicken and candy falling from the sky — it’s hard to imagine a better spring day in Hall County than Saturday.

Among the events that brought folks out for food and fellowship were the Chicken City Spring Chicken Festival Cook-Off in downtown Gainesville, where the maestros of poultry grilled up their succulent delights for judges and festivalgoers.

 Earlier, up the highway, the Murrayville Day Parade kicked off a day of festivities, including moonwalks, a petting zoo and pony rides at Lanier Elementary School. Candy tossed from parade floats made for a sweet Saturday indeed.