The streets of downtown Greenwood were packed with locals and travelers Saturday morning for the second day of the River to the Rails festival.
The gathering attracted several hundred people, despite the looming chance of showers. Those who did risk the weather were treated to a variety of entertainment.
A pet parade with several dogs dressed in costumes fitting this year’s theme of the “Barking Biscuit Blues” was one of the main attractions of the morning. The event, now in its third year, was a big hit with new and veteran festival goers.
“It has been very successful each year,” said Christi Carroll, the announcer for the event. “The parade is a real family event. To a lot of people, their pets are like family, and people enjoy seeing that.”
Proceeds from the pet parade benefit the Leflore County Humane Society, which averages about 150 dog adoptions and 36 cat adoptions per month.
Nathan and Marjorie Conner, who recently moved to Greenwood from Chicago, said their favorite part of their first River to Rails experience was the pet parade.
“I’m loving it,” Nathan Conner said. “My favorite part so far was the dog dressed like B.B. King in the parade.”
Kids also enjoyed activities such as inflatable rides, concessions, a petting farm, a ride on a miniature train and other entertainment.
Jimmy McClure of Batesville said he heard about the festival and wanted to bring his family down to experience it.
“My daughter is a real fan of dogs and cats, so I thought she might enjoy the pet parade,” McClure said. “It’s nice to come here and see everyone being social.”
Glenn Minsker of Harrisburg, Ohio, said he just stopped for something to eat on his way to a Florida motorcycle ride when he noticed the festival and wanted to check it out.
“This is a great community,” Minsker said. “It seems like everyone here knows everybody else and just has a good time being around each other. I think I’ve already made a few friends.”
An artists’ village featuring the works of local painters, potters, photographers, woodworkers and other artists was also featured.
Some organizations also used the festival as a venue for fundraising. Atmos Energy sold refreshments to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Mark Darby, a fundraising leader for Atmos, said they had seen a good response from the crowd this year.
“Atmos is the chair sponsor of a walk we are doing in Jackson on Oct. 24, and we hope to raise as much money as we can to help out the JDR Foundation,” Darby said. “The crowd has really picked up today, and we expect to do very well.”
This year was the first year the River and Rails Festival was combined with the 300 Oaks Race. The Festival is organized by Main Street Greenwood, the Greenwood-Leflore County Chamber of Commerce and the Greenwood Convention and Visitors Bureau.
