Oktoberfest

An estimated 1,000 children and adults attended the second annual Oktoberfest Saturday at Maytag Park, hosted by United Way of Jasper County, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Newton YMCA. A highlight of the event was the Golf Ball Drop, with chances for prizes. Devin Swank of Newton (pictured) uses his artistic skills to create a Halloween pumpkin face. The pumpkins, about 400 of them, were grown by inmates at the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women in Mitchellvile, and the Newton Correctional Facility in Newton, with funding for additional pumpkins donated by Black Hills Energy. Levi and Bladen Fisher check out the pumpkin selection before choosing theirs. The event, which also included bicycle rides by Kid Assist, was free for families.