“We asked you to show up and you did,” wrote the Mechanicsville Pork Center Days committee after the fact Sunday afternoon.
“We learned a lot this year. Most of us have zero experience running a fair and this was definitely a crash course of optimism, and (at times) pessimism. We got through it and ONLY because we had all of YOU to help make it happen,” the committee said.
Inflatables in uptown drew a lot of kids in uptown, as did the Balloon Buffoon, the balloon inflatable artist. The pedal tractor pull had a lot of participation Friday night at the event as well.
The waterball fights were also a very popular event, with firefighters facing off against other teams.
“It’s a lot harder than it looks,” said Alex, one of the participants facing off against another team. “It was hard getting water blasted in your face and still hitting the target.”
In that match, Alex dropped the hose as the water keg was over their team’s head and nearing the far end of the course. But the whistle never blew to conclude the match, and upon realizing that, teammate Dan B. picked up the hose nozzle and continued to push the barrel back down the wire for the win.
The parade through town had some minor traffic hiccups on the day, with at least one motorist heading up Cherry Street as the parade was beginning to head south along that road. But cheer for the parade, especially along Cherry Street and the candy and Pop Ices being distributed was certainly high.
The car show, located up behind Casey’s, also drew a crowd of vehicles participating and people stopping to see many of the vehicles on display Saturday morning before the parade.
Even bands who performed at Pork Days noted the energy of the returning festival.
“We were incredibly honored to be chosen to headline the revival of this community celebration after a 20-year hiatus,” wrote Trophy Dads after Friday night’s show. “To see that street packed with friends, families, and music fans made it a night we’ll never forget.
“A huge thank you to everyone who came out, sang every word, danced, and made us feel right at home.”