Food, music, kids’ activities, a beer garden and a car show honoring Scott Pettit were featured over the weekend in Riverbank.

English import autos were on display from the Central Valley British Car Club at the Saturday festivities, lined up in front of Cardozo School across from the Community Center Park. Also joining the display were Pettit’s favorite, a Corvette convertible (not an import and not English), and his Morris Minor 1000. Classics including an MG, an Austin Healey Sprite, a Singer, a TR6, and a Sunbeam rounded out the lineup.

Over on the grassy area, there were food vendors of all kinds, some regulars at the weekly Riverbank Farmers Market which just ended its summer-long run, and non-profit organization booths, like the Riverbank Historical Society. A roped off area contained the Beer Garden, and the Riverbank Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the event, sold tickets for chances to win the 12 or so gift baskets organizations had donated.

Further back, near the community swimming pool, was an area for the youngsters, featuring a face painting booth and a bounce house and slide. A larger attraction was the dunking booth, where Mayor Richard O’Brien, Vice Mayor Cal Campbell and Riverbank Historical Society President Paulette Roberson, in turn, were plunged into the tank by those accurate enough with a softball to hit the trigger.

Throughout the afternoon and into the evening, music was provided by the Rob Hill Band.

The focus was on the food and music, while the event this year was also a remembrance of the late Scott Pettit, a longtime Riverbank business owner (Karate for Kids) and community activist. He and his wife were killed in their Modesto home last year.

In addition to owning Karate for Kids, a downtown Riverbank fixture, Pettit was instrumental in supporting Riverbank activities like the Haunted Hayride in Jacob Myers Park, the annual Christmas Festival and Parade, and was an active member of the Man of the Year/Citizen of the Year committee.