Gwinnett Daily Post

Staff Photo: Brendan Sullivan Several different levels and ages of "Miss Grayson" wave to the crowed during the parade of the the 33rd annual Grayson Day Festival at the Grayson Community Park on Saturday. Activities included a parade, face painting, games, food and live entertainment.

GRAYSON -- Rebecca Thomas and her daughter, Hannah went to the Grayson Community Park on Saturday for an afternoon full of sun, friends and playtime, but the two got more than they expected -- the 33rd annual Grayson Day Festival.

"We had no idea that was today, but it's a great surprise," the Grayson resident said.

And she wasn't the only one having a good time. Thousands of locals of all ages came out to the six hour event in the park. The day started out with a community parade on Grayson Parkway honoring Coach Mickey Conn of the Grayson High School state championship football team for celebrating 100 wins. He was this year's grand marshal.

For the rest of the day, there were more than 180 booths and activities with something for everyone.

Vendors were scattered around the park selling arts and crafts, Grayson T-shirts, candles, cell phones, bags and plenty of food. Parkside Bakery, Hail Mary Sports Pub and the Grayson Lodge were just a few of the food tents around the festival.

Barbara Hinkle, the mayor's wife, was also selling food. She held a bake sale in a gazebo selling slices of cake as well as the town's cookbook "From Trip to Grayson."

But the biggest attraction of the day was the inflatables for the little ones because all of the courses were free -- everything in the play area was been donated for the day. Kids 'R' Kids supplied a giant slide, an obstacle course and bounce houses were sponsored by Spacewalk of Snellville and Precision Planning offered a Space Ball Spin Machine.

"We came in town with one of the traveling percussion groups," Leslie Cumins of South Carolina said. "This has been a blast because there is so much to do. My daughter loved the jumping houses -- and they were free. The best part has been the petting zoo though. The animals are so cute."

At the petting zoo, the public could enter the enclosed pen for $5 to hold, pet and learn about a variety of critters, including a turkey, piglets, guinea pigs, rabbits with their tiny offspring and a young goat, who jumped the fence at one point to explore the festival herself.

The goat was caught moments later on its lease and brought back to the pen. Besides that small blunder, the event seemed to go off without a hitch.

"I really glad we were here," Thomas said. "It's been a really fun day."