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| Families flock to fall festival |
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| Written by Maddy Houk / Patterson Irrigator / | |
| Wednesday, 24 October 2007 | |
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Top dogs Winners of the Best Friends Pet Resort costume contest for children and their dogs were as follows:
 Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator The city parks and recreation department and Westside Community Alliance sponsored the event, which drew hundreds of people downtown. “It’s great,” said Patterson resident David Davis, who took his daughter, Olivia, 3, and the family dog, Cocoa. “It’s a good time to get out with the kids and meet new people. It’s nice, really nice.” The downtown streets were filled with free activities for boys and girls and information for their parents. Each information booth had games for children, and those games spilled over into the city parks. Little ones had a wide range of choices for activities, including Helping Our Westside’s fishing booth, bounce houses and Best Friends Pet Resort’s pet parade. Parents such as Bobby Pierce, who was at the festival with Claire, 16 months, and Frances, 3, also enjoyed the day. “This is pretty good that they have this once a year,” Pierce said. “They love the jump houses and the slide and everything.” Organizers were generally happy with the way things went. “Everything’s going really good,” said Joey Chavez of the Patterson Recreation Department. Violet Wells, community developer from the Westside Community Alliance, said everything was right on schedule. Bands played while the Patterson Gymnastics group performed and a hip-hop group from Turlock danced. Irie Ama, 11, who watched the entertainment from Las Palmas Avenue after she rode on the hayride, said she really enjoyed the day. “It’s awesome, because it’s fun watching all the stuff, and it’s free,” Irie said.  Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator Westside Community Alliance had a booth on the downtown circle to bring information to folks about its services, especially its new Healthy Birth Outcomes program. Albertina Reynoso said the local organization helps community members get to doctor’s appointments by providing transportation to Modesto and Turlock. “Our goal is to figure out how to get people medical services,” Reynoso said. Shiloh Allen, president of the MOMS Club of Patterson, helped oversee a booth with temporary tattoos, stickers and lollipops for kids, as well as a drawing of prizes forparents. The money they raised will go into the Mother-to-Mother Fund for family catastrophes. On Saturday, the group raised money for the family of Jill Bettencourt, a Modesto MOMS Club member who died in a car accident last week. All in Halloween finery Over in North Park, youngsters and their dogs posed for three judges in the Best Friends Pet Resort Costume Contest. Kay Vossekuil traveled from the Bay Area to see granddaughters Julia and Lisa Vossekuil compete. “I come to Patterson for all the events — the movies, the Apricot Fiesta,” Vossekuil said. “I think this is so cute.” Her daughter-in law, Kitty Vossekuil, also watched as judges considered each child and dog.  Elias Funez / Patterson Irrigator When the winners were announced and prizes given out, Lisa and Julia received Best of Show and Scariest honors, respectively. Lizette Ruiz, 17, a Patterson High School senior who ran the contest as part of her prep project, said she also helps Best Friends owner Augusta Farley with other tasks, from working on computers to cleaning kennels at the business, which offers boarding, training, grooming and play days. “I want to organize an event where people can come and learn about pet care and have fun with their pets,” Ruiz said. Owner Farley said Ruiz made her job easier by organizing the event. “We all had a really good time, and we’re looking forward to next year,” Farley said. “There’s something about the joy of interacting with dogs. There’s something about the joy of seeing people with their dogs.” To reach Maddy Houk at the Irrigator, call 892-6187 or e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
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