With Lakefest now over and Jamestown's Monument Square back in order, Councilwoman and Lakefest Chair Marcelene Taylor is calling the event one of the most successful ever, even after a year hiatus.

The four-day event began last Wednesday with a prayer service and singing. The festivities lasted through Saturday night's free concert by country music legend Marty Stuart and a fireworks display.

 "It went really well," she said. "From what I've been told it was the largest crowd we've ever had on a Saturday night."

Taylor also complimented the numerous vendors set up at the celebration.

"They were some of the nicest vendors we've ever had, everyone was just so courteous and pleasant," Taylor said. "I wouldn't change anything about them."

She also said that next year there will be more activities for the children, such as small carnival rides, as many people were already booked up this year after Lakefest was canceled last year.

Another noticeable difference was the Lakefest stage, which was placed in front of the courthouse this year's as construction continues on the judicial center, but that didn't seem to hamper the turnout at all, organizers said.

 "Marty Stuart was very versatile and a big hit," she said of Saturday's concert. "The Chessmen were also very good."

The Times Journal's Barbecue Cook-off, which was held on Thursday, was won by Hunter Shearer from Albany. Glen Whitis took second place while Scott E. Hamm III took third place.

The talent show was won by Kayla Reese in the 14 and up category while Brooklyn Roller won in the 7-13 category. Nikki Williams won in the 6 and under category.

The lip sync competition was won by Shady Cole and Crack Crack in the 14 and up category while Candace Renee Parson won the 13 and under category.

Caleigh Kerns and Keri Kerns won the look-alike contest. Keith Blair and Lester Price won the corn hole tournament while Sonny Price won the children's patriotic parade on Saturday.

The baby and beauty pageants also were a success. Full results and photos of the pageants can also be seen in this edition.

Katie Flanagan was crowned Miss Lakefest on Friday evening with Riann Templin being named 1st runner-up while Whitney Grider and Nancy George were selected as co-2nd runner-ups.

Around 60 runners participated in the 10K and 5K runs with Wyatt Self of Indiana winning the 10K race. Katie Feldhaus was the first female to cross the line several minutes later.

Chris Gosser was the 5K female winner while the male winner was Wesley Mullins.

The Lakefest Golf Scramble, an 18-hole best ball tournament which helps to fund much of the activities, was held Friday. The winning team from that event consisted of Zach Wilson, Jeff Cook, Allan Gosser and Ryan Vaughn.

To be fully funded, Taylor said the celebration takes donations from folks to keep it going.

It took in the neighborhood of $4,000 to put on Saturday night's fireworks display, which were set off from Jamestown Elementary's parking lot.

Taylor said she wanted to thank the Lakefest committee, along with the city council of Jamestown and Mayor Brooks Bates for their support.

She sent out special thanks to event organizers Jenny Chapman, Kim Weston, Rita Kemp, Gail Robertson, Lisa Mann, Carolyn Williams, Sherry Popplewell, Dr. James Monin, Travis Mann, Donnie Wilkerson, Robin Rigney, John Thompson, Vince Glover and Chris Back and city employees Debbie Conner, Tyler McGowan, Ottis Skaggs and Randy Walters and a slew of other celebration volunteers. She also wished to thank Chief Derek Polston and the Jamestown Police Department as well as the Jamestown Volunteer Fire Department for all their help during the event.