FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - Beneath a clear blue Texas sky the sounds of fall filled the air as the Directorate of Family, Morale, Welfare and Recreation 2008 Fall Fest kicked off Oct. 17 with fun, food, music, contests and excitement.
The annual event began Friday evening with festivities that went well into the night. It resumed with a parade Saturday at 10 a.m. on the corner of Stanley and Schofield roads. A military float representing Warriors in Transition was received enthusiastically by spectators with cheers and waves.
Saturday's festivities featured live entertainment, a bounty of food booths, games, arts and crafts, fire trucks, children's games and activities, car show, barbecue cook-off and performances by Radio Disney. If that wasn't enough excitement for the attendees, raffle drawings were conducted throughout the event with prizes that included iPods, Coach purses, cookware, glassware, electronic equipment and much more.
The barbecue cook-off was a tantalizing feast for judges. With delightful aromas of Family sauces, secret spices and "I'll-never-tell" recipes, about 30 cuts of chicken, beef and pork were smoked, grilled and cooked to each chef's idea of perfection.
Winners in each category were judged by a panel of barbecue experts and trophies were awarded to the top chef in each division. Tom Parrish received top honors for his chicken, Joe Roberson was first for pork and Ed Rivas was number one for his barbecue beef. Overall best went to Joe Roberson.
The car show was a hit with fest attendees with owners showing off their beautiful autos and hoping for the first place prize. That award went to Ryan Bottorf.
The Army Medical Command Band's "E-7 band" entertained the crowd, numbering well into the thousands, with their rendition of top-40 tunes.
The 28th annual Combat Medic Run attracted more than 1,000 entries at MacArthur Parade Field. Runners competed in various categories that included the 5K and 10K individual runs, 10K and 5K 28- and five-person formation runs, and a 2-mile fun and wellness walk.
Awards and medals were presented to the first place winners by age and category by Garrison Commander Col. Mary E. Garr and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Pedro Class. The 264th Medical Battalion also received the Fort Sam Houston Intramural Sports Commanders Cup and 32nd Medical Brigade Commander's Cup Award for athletic excellence. This is the third year that 264th Medical Battalion has received the award.
Event sponsors for Fall Fest included Harbor Financial Mortgage, Military Benefits Representative, Car X, Ryland Homes, USAA, Fieldstone Homes and River City.
(Cheryl Harrison works for the Army Community Service Marketing)
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