By Robin Creer-Martin
The Freedom Festival events, like the annual Baby Contest, have many volunteers who donate their time and talents to make things run smoothly.
Organizers worked long hours to make the baby contest fun for the babies, parents and volunteers.
Carla Walker, 14-year chair and organizer of the baby contest said, “The time put in throughout the year is worth it once I see the beautiful babies and happy parents.”
Nearly 50 volunteers were stationed at Provo Towne Centre Mall to judge Saturday”s baby contest.
Two judges were over each of the categories ranging from biggest dimples to most beautiful eyes.
Diana Boschetti has been a volunteer judge for 10 years. She said what keeps her coming back to help each year is seeing the cute babies and the proud parents show off their kids.
Second-year volunteer Sue Merrill said she loves to volunteer especially because it is for the Freedom Festival. “It is so fun to see the parents dress their babies up in patriotic costumes and act goofy trying to make them smile,” Merrill said.
Several babies were dressed up as firemen and lady liberty for the costume category.
Julie Bantger dressed her little boy Christen as a fireman in honor of 9/11. “I wanted to be patriotic, and I thought he would be a cute firefighter,” Bantger said.
The biggest role of Freedom Festival volunteers is to make the events fun for those who participate. “Everything is very organized. It has been speedy to get in and out. Christen didn”t even have time to get grumpy,” Bantger said.
“I am amazed that so many people are willing to help on a Saturday,” said Sheliah Stafford, head of judges.
Stafford made lunch possible for volunteers through Kneaders Bakery as a way to say thank you.
She said volunteers come from many organizations to support the Freedom Festival. This year most of the judges were nurses from Intermountain Heath Care because IHC is the host the fundraiser.
“IHC has made the baby contest run like a machine; they have done an incredible job,” Walker said.
The IHC newborn intensive-care unit will receive all proceeds made from the baby contest.
The Freedom Festival events run through July 4.
