WARNER ROBINS -- Wind played havoc with the revived International City Fall Festival in Warner Robins last year, but in the second year the weather proved more cooperative.

A crowd estimated in the thousands came out for the event aimed at helping revive the downtown of the city. Organizer Gena DeBoe said the festival had almost twice as many vendors this year.

“A lot of people that did not hear about it last year heard about this year, and it’s just feeling like more a permanent thing for the city now,” she said. “We are already one of the top places to live and this gives us another fun community event to do.”

She estimated about midway through the day that the crowd was at least as big as a year ago, if not bigger. Last year’s crowd was estimated at more than 4,000.

The festival featured arts and crafts, live music, food and games for children. Festival goers said it’s something the city needs to help bring people together.

“It brings a lot of people out and it gets a lot of people involved,” said Alex Searcy, who was handing out information about the Civil Air Patrol’s efforts to raise money for wreaths to put on graves of veterans. “There’s just not a lot to do on a Saturday.”

Warner Robins City Councilwoman Carolyn Robbins was selling festival T-shirts, which she also did at last year’s event.

“We need more things like this in the city because it gives the community something to get out and do,” she said. “They are getting out and enjoying the outside.”

She said the would like to see the festival area expanded next year.

Linda Brown came down from Macon for the event at the invitation of her mother, Charlie May, of Bonaire.

“I’m having a great time,” said Brown, who likes going to arts and crafts festivals. “I think it’s a neat setup. I will definitely be back next year.”

The event included a full day of musical acts. It was supposed to have a barbecue contest, but DeBoe said the contest organizers canceled it. She wasn’t sure why. It also didn’t have the antique car show that it had in the first year due to lack of interest, but DeBoe was hopeful the car show can make a return next year.

The Warner Robins Downtown Development Authority revived the festival last year after a 10-year absence.

To contact writer Wayne Crenshaw, call 256-9725.