The parking lot was filled with cotton candy-toting children waiting in line to climb the rock wall, playing in the various moon bounces or taking a pony ride.
The children gathered as part of the 6th Annual Community Fall Festival took place on Saturday at the New River Valley Mall. The event was held11 a.m. to 3 p.m. between the Belk Department store and Ryan?s Restaurant.
This year the event was about more than just the children around the area ? the festival was also used as a fundraiser. Proceeds from the silent auction and bake sale, which was organized by the wives of the deputies at the Montgomery County Sheriff?s Department, were split between the families of Corporal Eric Sutphin and security officer Derrick McFarland. Items for auction included various restaurant gift certificates, getaway trips to nearby attractions and various donations from area businesses.
The festival raised $8,100 through the silent auction and bake sale for the families of McFarland and Sutphin, according to the Montgomery County Sheriff?s Department.
The parking lot was not only filled with moon bounces for children, but area police and fire departments also had their equipment and vehicles on display. The Christiansburg Fire Department had a ?smoke house? set up to teach children about fire safety. Visitors could also sit in the backseat of the Blacksburg Police cars and ambulances that were being shown. In addition to that, there were also appearances by Life Guard 10 ? a hospital transport helicopter, a Blackhawk helicopter, the Q- Bear from Q99 FM and the Hokie Bird.
?I had a great time at the festival. I enjoyed listening to the band play and looking at the classic car show, but I wished they had more things for college students and adults,? said freshman, Jessica Micsan.
This is the third year that the New River Valley Mall has held the fall festival event. The mall has taken various steps in order to prepare for the festival each year.
?We work very closely with the Christiansburg Police Department to have the event at the mall. The Christiansburg Police Department works with the local emergency response groups and helicopters for participation, and the mall works with the other vendors,? said Cassandra Dove, marketing director for the New River Valley Mall.
This year?s fall festival seemed to go off without a hitch and was entertaining for both children and adults alike. The New River Valley Mall, Christiansburg Police Department, Carillion New River Valley Medical Center, WPSK 101.7 FM, Hot100 FM and various other supporters sponsored the event.
?We were very pleased with the response from the community and feel that the event gets better every year,? Dove said.
