By Teresa Williams

teresa.williams@gaflnews.com



BOSTON — The late October heat surge did not slow the crowd from running over to the 30th annual Boston Mini-Marathon and Festival Saturday.

Hundreds participated in various events including the one-mile Fun Run, the 5K half-marathon, a costume contest, a parade and a narrative of Boston’s history.

“We come every year,” Jamilla Hall said. “I like how all the people come together and all differences are put away for the day.”

The parade was one of the most popular events as youths, their families and other onlookers lined Main Street in anticipation of the event.

Alison Nudd brought her daughter Colleen, 3.

“We come for the parade,” Nudd said. “She likes to see the ‘princesses,’ or the beauty queens.”

Connor Singletary, 4, waved one of the small American flags handed out to onlookers as he watched the parade. He wanted to see “the Yellow Jackets” (Thomas County Central High School’s football team and band were part of the parade).

The Bonney siblings traveled from Tallahassee, Fla., to take part in the activities.

Emma, 9, Braden, 4, and Lauren, 6, joined the Fun Run. They also wanted to participate in the costume contest, but arrived a little late so only the eldest sibling was able to compete, they said.

“I really liked the Fun Run,” Braden said. “It was really good and my first time running. I won second in my family!”

Emma was Amelia Earhart, Braden was a pirate and Lauren was Fancy Nancy.

All three siblings were also looking forward to seeing the parade.

Madi Tate, 19 months, of Dixie, played in the petting zoo with her grandmother, while her parents smiled and waved.

“I’m from here so it is nice to come back and see everyone,” Madi’s mother, Heather Tate, said. “Madi’s enjoying herself.”

“The Three Sisters,” otherwise known as Wanda Thomas, Flossie Ward and Devotis Lewis, had a booth featuring wreaths, gift baskets and jewelry in the arts and crafts section.

“We’ve been having a great time,” Ward said. “There’s good food, good entertainment and good fun. This is our first time with a booth here, but I think we’ve already decided to do it again next year.”

Tywon Christopher, 3, got a pumpkin painted on his cheek by Lari Hagan of Dixie Baptist Church.

Christopher said he liked pumpkins; Hagan said the item was her biggest request of the day.

Kerry and Michelle Walsh, of Cotton, had a food booth at the site. They sold a variety of items, from quesadillas to sausages.

“We’ve been before and really enjoy it,” Michelle said of the festival. “We like the crowd, the temperature, the jazz music — all of it.”

Events were scheduled to continue through the afternoon and evening, including a haunted house and trick-or-treating on Main Street.