The smell of cooked onions penetrated the air.

The sounds of people enjoying a beautiful day could be heard from a long distance away.

Last Saturday, the 2018 edition of Mayfest was held at Tom Byrne Park, and it went off without a hitch.

Residents and visitors from out of town converged on the site, where more than 70 vendors were present to sell their wares or give some much-needed information.

As I made my way to the annual festival early that morning, I couldn’t help but think what this year’s Mayfest will be like.

First of all, it was going to be a different one from the start.

I managed to get a few pictures of the Mayfest 5K, but had to hurry over and fulfill and awesome responsibility of raising money for United Fund of Atmore’s annual fund drive.

As president of United Fund, I of course had to be present. I wouldn’t miss it.

For three hours, we took photos of children and adults for a small fee, and I must say it was a lot of fun.

Once we wrapped up the photo session, I was on mission to get as many pictures of the event as I could.

Luckily, so many were willing participants that they made it easy for me.

I couldn’t tell you how many called out to me wanting to have their picture made.

That was a lot of fun.

Near the end of the festival, I sat and took pictures of the first ever Miss Mayfest Pageant.

That was a nice event as several girls from the area, from young to teen, competed for the title.

After the pageant, the clock chimed 5 o’clock signaling the end of Mayfest.

We packed everything up and went about our separate ways.

Before I write further, the first ever co-ed adult softball tournament was still in play, and from what I’ve been told, it ended just before 10 p.m.

The team that won — Inglorious Batters — had a clever name. See a picture of the team in today’s sports section.

As I drove away from another Mayfest, I couldn’t help but get a second wind because of how well the day went.

Organizers should be proud of their efforts in putting the annual festival on this year.

Here’s to next year.