New attractions added to Cantaloupe Festival

New attractions mixed in with some old favorites should make next weekend's 25th annual Hearts of Gold Cantaloupe Festival one to remember.

The Fallon Festival Association, sponsors of this year's Labor Day weekend celebration, added events such as children's rides and a rock climbing wall.

This year's cantaloupe festival runs Sept. 2-6 at the Churchill County Fairgrounds.

"We're not a full carnival. We specialize in children and family events," said Ed Fonseca of Fun and Games, a company that specializes in festival entertainment. "Most of our rides are for 12 and under, but we also have adults who like the rides."

Favorite amusements include the tea-cup ride, the bouncing dune buggy for children and the bounty pirate ship.

"We have a combination of inflatable and mechanical games," he added.

A climbing wall challenges climbers to maneuver themselves to the top by using a safety cable and harness system.

"Rocky," the mechanical bull, is another attraction the festival association feels people will find challenging. "Rocky" has five different pre-programmed levels and endless ride combinations to give a life-like ride aboard a mechanical bull for aspiring cowboys and cowgirls. A timer keeps track of how long a contestant holds on before suddenly dismounting.

The Lahontan Valley Pullers arm wrestling team is conducting an afternoon of action. Sign-ups will take place Friday night at the festival and on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. The first arm wrestling match is slated to begin no later than 1 p.m. Organizers said the finals for all the classes begin at 6 p.m.

"We're looking to make this successful," said Michael MacLean, vice president of the Pullers.

Categories include men's right arm with individuals weighting 1-170 pounds, 171-210 and 211-plus. Left-arm competition is 1-170 and 171-plus. The women's competition is open. Besides featuring the intense competition, MacLean said prizes and plaques also will be awarded to top finishers and the best sportsman

If this year's arm wrestling is a hit, MacLean said he would like to see the Nevada State Championship stage its title matches at the cantaloupe

festival.

The festival will feature the Littlest Cowboy/Cowgirl contest, cantaloupe queen contest, horseshoe tournament, Elks beer garden and an invitational art exhibit for two divisions, youth (ages 10-17) and adult (18 and older). Categories are drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, mosaic, digital imaging, photography, quilting and other. Entries, which are restricted to two per person, may be submitted on Tuesday.

Admission on Friday, Saturday and Sunday is adults, $5; military, seniors (62 and older) and people with disabilities, $4; children 3-10, $3; and children 2 and younger free. Entrance fees will be discounted $1 on Labor Day. Hours are 5 p.m.-midnight on Friday, 10 a.m.-midnight on Saturday and Sunday and noon to 5 p.m. Monday, Labor Day.