The 2012 Fall Wildlife Festival was held Saturday in Long County’s Rye Patch Community, bringing together families and artists for a cause.

The event started in 1982 for churches and other nonprofit organizations to raise money for causes. According to festival co-chairwoman Becky Fowler, the free festival serves an important service in Long County.

“The Wildlife Festival showcases the vital importance of the community partnerships and citizen involvement in our fight to preserve wildlife,” she said.

The event also is when humanitarians in the county are recognized. This year, dual winners were selected for Long County Citizen of the Year as two of the festival’s own were recognized. Fowler and Beverly Johnson were selected by the Wildlife Festival Committee to share year’s honor. Besides co-chairing the festival, they volunteer for other events, including the Relay for Life.

This year’s festival featured a wide variety of food from barbecue to funnel cakes. Kids had plenty to do with an inflatable fun house, playground, petting zoo, pony rides, train ride and face painting. Other events included a turkey shoot, a cornhole tournament, vocal entertainment and the pig chase.