DU QUOIN -- Mayor Guy Alongi described Friday's "Back to School Bash" as a scene from Mayberry in Du Quoin's Keyes Park on Friday. And he would be right.
"This is kind of a 'last hurrah,' a way to wrap up the summer," said Alongi.
Alongi said the event that drew a crowd of well over 1,000, was born out of a previous failure.
"We had a family night in the park with the police department last year in October," he said. "It didn't go over well because of the weather."
Alongi said he and city officials "put their heads together" and decided to do the back to school bash.
"We ended up coming up with about $7,000 in contributions," Alongi said with a smile. "Everything you see here is donated."
According to Alongi, organizers went through 1,200 hot dogs, 1,400 drinks, 450 Popsicles, 400 Blow Pops, and popped about 30 pounds of popcorn. The First Baptist Church also provided slices of watermelon.
"Everything you see here is donated," said Alongi.
The donations also included free haircuts provided by Christina Alvis of Head Designs of Benton.
"I'm just trying to help the community," said the Christopher native.
Scott Vaughn, owner of Du Quoin Auto Service, included his car show for the event.
"We had 28 entries," he said.
That event attracted several hundred visitors checking out the various cars and netted $354 that Vaughn donates to Du Quoin's "Shop with a Cop" program.
Vaughn has organized the show for the last three years.
The afternoon also offered free swimming in the municipal pool and bouncy houses for the kids.
Du Quoin native Amelia Eisenhauer and her band, We've Got It Covered, entertained the crowd, spread out in chairs and on blankets throughout the park.
The evening ended with a showing of the movie, "Beethoven."
"We had about 700 stay for the movie," said Alongi.
The mayor was more than pleased with the event.
"This is a good family event," he said. "It brings everyone together."
Alongi said plans are now underway for the Truck or Treat celebration in October.
