Photo by Eric Keith / St. Joseph News-Press / Purchase this photo Handing out a little visual candy to go with the real stuff, the Southside Carwash sends thousands of bubbles into the air along the South Side Fall Festival Parade route Saturday morning.

Babies nibbled funnel cakes, had their hair combed and held hands with parents Sunday afternoon at the Southside Fall Festival.

These babies and others who came to the festival can now call themselves winners. Nearly 250 infants and toddlers — a potential record — competed in the Q-Country 92.7 Baby Show, according to Eagle Radio General Manager Gary Exline.

“We can’t remember the numbers from last year,” he said.

One of the contestants was 11-month-old Abigayle Gallagher, who was quiet as a steady line of families proceeded into the gazebo at Hyde Park. Her mother, Misty, said her family always attends the festival.

She entered her daughter for the first time as “just something to do. She’s always smiling.”

Keysha Myers carefully combed 19-month-old Jaxon’s blonde hair before the judging of his first-ever baby contest.

“He’s pretty good at making animal sounds — dogs, cats, frogs. He moos ... Pretty good at telling you no,” she said.

Mr. Exline said the category for babies 1 day old to 24 months was the most popular, with 97 entrants. Other categories featured babies up to 24 months old.

Overall, the 21st edition of the Southside Fall Festival was a smash hit, said chairwoman Sally Pike.

Friday night’s crowd exceeded expectations and Saturday’s draw proved steady — with many paradegoers immediately flocking to the park, she said. Organizers estimated 60,000 visitors for the three-day event, she added.

“We were packed,” Ms. Pike said of Friday night. “Some of the vendors ran out of food.”

It turned out to be the biggest and best Southside festival ever, she said.

“We’ve already started working on next year. There’s only 40 of us that do this,” Ms. Pike said, referring to the festival’s volunteers.

The festival’s final day also featured a community worship service and music by Exit 47.

Ray Scherer can be reached

at rscherer@npgco.com.