Temperatures in the 90s may have played a role in limiting the crowd size at last weekend's Ceres Street Faire.

There was a lot of interest in the Saturday car show held on Fourth Street. A total of 88 vehicles were entered, the largest turnout ever. Larry O'Brien of Modesto took the show's Grand Champion award with his blue all aluminum 1965 Shelby Cobra. O'Brien's car, which he has owned for 11 years, will be featured on next year's Ceres Street Faire T-shirt.

"It's a full competition car which makes it a little more rare too," said O'Brien, who received his award from Susan Borges who handled the Car Show for the Ceres Street Faire Committee.

O'Brien, who splits his time between Modesto and Twin Bridges, Montana, enjoyed the faire, saying it was a "beautiful day with a great turnout."

Kathy Zumbrunn's 1953 Chevy pickup earned the Best of Show Truck Award. The 1950 Ford Woody owned by John and Peggy Kearney received the Best of Show Car award. The award for Most Unique went to Tony and Josie Andrade's 1949 Chevy four-door Deluxe. The City Council Award went to Alejandro Bravo's 1961 Impala while the Mayor's Choice Award went to Michael Busch's 1957 Chevy. Joe Rose's 1930 Model A pickup earned the People's Choice Award. Don Epps was given the Police Chief's Award for his 1957 Chevy Bel-Air. Andy Fontana's 1968 Ford Mustang won the Competitor's Award. The last award was the Elvis Award, which went to Richard Mora's Cadillac.

"This has been a really great weekend," said Kim Chapman, a member of the Ceres Street Faire Committee. "They're selling a lot of beer and a lot of food but it's quiet for the other vendors because it's too hot. That's the drawback."

Vendors on Fourth Street were varied from the Handmade Kenyan Arts and Crafts to the Guatemalan Friendship Bracelets to Ring Around the Toezees.

Some non-profit organizations selling food on Third Street reported slow sales. Central Valley High School varsity baseball coach Mario Navarro said his boosters booth had cooked and sold about 100 hamburgers by 3 p.m. on Saturday and thought the number was a little low.

Members of the Ceres Lions Club were selling draft beer and tri-tip sandwiches while the Ceres Chamber of Commerce reported brisk sales of margaritas.

Police reported few problems other than occasional Faire goers block driveways as they parked in surrounding residential areas. Ceres Police Dept. spokesman Lt. Chris Perry said police did cite one illegal street vendor who tried to peddle goods without a license.

"All in all it was a pretty good time," said Lt. Perry. "Weather was good, big crowds, good food and I think it was fun."

The CUSD Foundation held its eighth annual Raffle Fundraiser on Saturday. Proceeds from ticket donations support activities at Ceres schools and provide supplemental instructional support for Ceres teachers.

Four $500 cash prizes and five prize packages valued at $500 were given away after their names were pulled by students Riley and Haley Gaskill.

The four $500 cash prizes donated by Bank of the West went to Jared Hollingsworth of Modesto, Peg Jensen of Modesto, Morin Jacob, Blanca Medellin of Ceres.

The winner of a $500 merchandise gift card (donated by Shane Parson) was Heriberto Macias, who purchased his ticket from an Adkison Elementary student.

Angelica Lopez of Ceres won the $500 grocery package donated by Cost Less Foods. Her ticket was purchased from a Mae Hensley Junior High School student.

The $500 Black Oak Casino entertainment package was won by Pat Moniz. She purchased the ticket from an Adkison student. Moniz won meal vouchers and $20 in slot play, as well as a gift bag filled with a variety of items from the casino.

A $500 fuel package donated by E.R. Vine & Sons was won by Nanette Roach of Modesto. She purchased the winning ticket from Caswell Elementary.

Nick Hatfield of Ceres purchased a ticket from Whitmore Charter School and won a $500 gas grill barbeque donated by Lowe's in Turlock.

The bonus prize, a large stuffed animal grizzly bear, donated by Bank of the West was won by Daniel Guel of Ceres.

Participating in the drawing of the tickets were Founding CUSD Foundation Board Member Dave McConnell and School Board trustees Mike Welsh and Lourdes Perez.

Brian Murphy emceed the drawing event, which was coordinated and planned by Julie Lynn Martin-Borba.

The Faire drew a number of organizations offering information to the community. The Ceres Youth Soccer Organization signed up hundreds of kids to play in the league which starts Aug. 15. Lou Toste said about 1,000 will play in the recreation league while 200 to 300 will be in the competitive league.
In a booth on North Street, Ceres Women's Club members sold a table full of home-baked cookies. Proceeds go to support high school scholarships, Howard Training Center, the Salvation Army, Pennies for Pines, the Modesto Union Gospel Mission and the Redwood Center in Modesto. The club was founded in 1926.