The smell of barbecue drifted through the air of Downtown Poplar Bluff Saturday, enticing folks to visit the Eighth Annual Iron Horse Festival. As if the mouth-watering scent wasn't enough, sounds of rockin' country music and well-placed vendor displays added to the sights and sounds of the seasonal event.
Josh Weseman, his wife Lee Ann and their son Jack said they've attended the festival every year because it offers something for everyone. Weseman likes sampling from the vendor trucks, Lee Ann enjoys perusing the craft booths, but Jack said his favorite part is something not typically found in the city's historical district.
"I really liked hanging out with my friends and riding a horse," Jack said.
The crowd shuffled up and down a very busy Main Street, with many stopping to taste deep fried goodies along the way. Butler County Coroner and Lions Club President Andy Moore said the club's booth has been busy all morning selling deep fried Oreos and funnel cakes in a cup, which are easier to eat, like French fries, Moore added.
"We've had a lot of foot traffic coming in and out and there seems to be a lot of people here from outside of the community," he said. "We've been asking them where they're from."
Moore said this is the first year the Lions Club has participated in the festival, but that he's attended on his own for the past several years and thought the event would be a fun way to raise awareness about the Lions Club's service oriented work while supporting the community.
"This gets people downtown, for one, and there's a big push to revitalize downtown so for me, that's number one of the list," he said.
It's also a priority for Jerrica Fox, director of Downtown Poplar Bluff, who said the amount of vendors this year nearly doubled compared to last year.
"We went from 35 to 56 vendors," Fox said. "Our Kid Zone grew, I would say, at least by double. We have the dog show again this year, which is a popular event and we added the Kona Ice Truck, a funnel cake truck and we have about 15 vendors in our Kid Zone."
Fox said thanks to the beautiful, clear weather and increased vendor participation, she's confident Saturday's attendance will surpass festivals in the past.
Festivities began with a 5K and 10K run through the streets of Poplar Bluff, the shaded course allowing folks to get an early jump on the day's events. Those who didn't feel like rising and running dropped into the Historic Train Depot for the pancake breakfast, an equally refreshing start.
The festival ran until 4 p.m., and featured various musical performances, including Leeza Edmundson who also sang at the Butler County Fair's Demolition Derby later Saturday evening. Tours of the Moark Regional Railroad Museum allowed folks to check out historic locomotives, which is where the Iron Horse Festival got its name. Friday and Saturday 400 visited the museum. Demonstrations in conjunction with the dog show, sponsored by Ozark Federal Credit Union, also held the interest of much of the crowd.
Stacy Pullam and his 12-week-old puppy Randall, a Bernese Mountain Dog, were lounging in the shade before the Cutest Puppy Contest.
"I thought I'd put him in the dog show because he's a puppy and he's pretty cute," said Pullam, who added that he enjoys outdoor, dog friendly events. "I don't know if he'll win but I'm showing him off."
Pullam's friend Stacy Shook and his pup, Sancho, of Branson, Mo., were first-time attendees of the Iron Horse Festival and Shook said so far, he was impressed.
"I think it's really nice. The parking was a little difficult, but we sent our wives to get the truck and bring it down here," he said, with a chuckle. "We're about to head up there and check out some of the booths."