ELLISVILLE — Lots of food, entertainment, crafts and fellowship were available to those attending Ellisville Rotary Fest 2009 in downtown Ellisville Saturday.

Aaron Oberschmidt, president of the Ellisville Rotary Club, said this year’s event attracted more vendors and some increased entertainment.

“This is a great way to show our community involvement and to have an event for the public to take part in,” he said. “It’s also a venue for all the show choirs and school groups to perform and allow the public to see what they have to offer.”

He said the event, which provides live entertainment from local schools and other groups, also attracts many parents and concerned adults who come out to support the young people.

Oberschmidt said the festival added the bull riding and pony rides to its list of entertainment this year.

Eleven-year-old Dakota Cobb of Soso was one of several young people who tried their hand at bull riding Saturday during the festival.

Cobb, who was attending the festival for the first time, said the bull riding and the many shops were the highlight of his visit to the festival.

Cobb’s mother, Lisa Cobb, said she has attended the festival several times and it allows her to develop her skill of photography.

“I like coming and seeing all of the people,” she said. “I like taking photos, so there’s a lot to be photographed.”

Seven-year-old Skyla Walters of Ellisville got a chance to come to the festival with her grandmother, Terry Holloway of Tuckers Crossing.

Skyla, who got a lady bug painted on her face by Terri Boteler during the festival, said she had been looking forward to “riding the pony” on her first visit to the event.

Holloway said she tries to come to the festival each year.

“I like to look at the crafts and different things,” she said. “It also gives you some ideas for Christmas.”

“The food is always good too,” she added.

Joann Carter of Sharon said she comes to the festival each year.