Sweltering heat did not stop crowds from turning out for the annual two-day Caddo River Festival, held Friday, Sept. 4 and Saturday, Sept. 5 in downtown Glenwood. However, by mid-afternoon on the second day, as the temperature reached 100, some vendors had endured enough.

“Hottest temperatures we’ve ever had but still a huge success, tons of people,” said Kayla Hartsfield, president of the Glenwood Regional Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event.  

At 2:35 p.m. on Saturday, festival organizers announced that vendors would begin packing up due to the dangerously hot weather. Most participants opted to stay until 3 p.m. to see the conclusion of the car show awards.

The car show featured 82 vehicles on display this year, a decrease of 37 from last year’s record turnout of 119. Hartsfield said she anticipated the extreme weather might deter older people from participating. 

The event attracted several new faces, traveling from Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Texas to show off their cars, she said. Most long-distance travelers have local ties or family in the area. 

Huey Davis received the Longest Distance Award after traveling 925 miles from Elyria, Ohio, spending roughly 14 hours behind the wheel to showcase his 1969 Chevy Camaro SS.

Other festival events saw impressive turnouts. The 5K run showed continued growth, drawing a wide age range of runners and walkers, while the Kids Fun Run achieved record-breaking participation. Both athletic events took place Saturday morning, allowing participants to finish before the heat became too intense.

As the largest annual event in Glenwood, Hartsfield said it was made possible by sponsors and local businesses that are current chamber members. The Centerpoint School District also provided critical assistance, along with many volunteers. 

Following the success of the festival, the Glenwood Regional Chamber of Commerce is now shifting its focus toward planning its first annual banquet in several years, tentatively scheduled for next March.