The Parenting Fair on Saturday attracted a crowd that packed Hal Henard Elementary School.

The attendance was probably the biggest in the event's 13-year history of the popular event.

Several persons who have been involved in the parenting fair for many years estimated the crowd at "close to 5,000" people.

On hand were organizations and businesses dealing with many aspects of parenting from caring for infants to advising teens planning to attend college.

The Parenting Fair provided opportunities for parents to learn more about free and fee-based services, classes, after-school programs, classes, activities and help available locally.

The event also gave a number of businesses access to a large crowd of potential customers.

The Parenting Fair was sponsored by Laughlin Memorial Hospital and coordinated by Greeneville City Schools and Greene County Schools. Guidance Counselor Janie Laws represented the city schools and school nurse Suzanne Price the county schools.

Laws and Price said 130 presenters staffed booths that filled the gym floor and the wide balcony that extends around three sides.

Entertainment was provided by the Greeneville Middle School Jazz Band, TTJC Karate, Linda's School of Dance, The Mountain Empire Childrens Choral Academy, Miss Greene County Erin Collins, and Winter & Co. Dance Studio.

The two organizers praised the volunteer help they received, as well as those who provided entertainment during the four-hour event. Laws said she was "surrounded by outstanding people."

"We've just about outgrown the facility," Laws said as she surveyed the large crowd on both levels of the gym at noon.

She said participants felt the event was very beneficial, and allowed them to reach the right groups of people.

The Parenting Fair began at 10 a.m. By 10:30 a.m., the school's parking lot was full, and many people began double parking, or walking from the Greeneville Middle School's parking lot next door.

Helpers included the Greene County Partnership's Youth Leadership Council, county school maintenance workers, the parent involvement coordinators at both the city and county schools, and inmates from the Greene County Detention Center.

"The inmates were great," Laws said, helping with setups, carrying in tables and displays, and otherwise doing anything that needed doing.

Laws said she was grateful that rain and storms did not materialize until the afternoon.

As a precaution, inflatable children's bounce "rides" were set up inside, rather than in front of the school, as they have been in previous years.

A concession stand was available, staffed by Boy Scout Troop 94, and Hardins Chapel United Methodist Church catered a hospitality room that fed presenters and volunteers breakfast and lunch on site, to make staffing easier.

The array of booths was dazzling: parents could line up computer tutoring, or learn about the new kid-friendly "Video Zone" that they will find this year at Greeneville Astros home games.

They could learn about first aid and parenting classes available through the Red Cross, or "stress relief" available to hardworking moms at local health spas.

Parents could learn from school nurses the difference between the symptoms of a bad cold and the flu. The school nurses have seen plenty of both this year and every year.

Organizations like the Mountain Empire Chilren's Choral Association, the Central Ballet, UT's Camp Explore and several churches had booths that featured information about extra-curricular activities they offer for children and families.

The New Attitude gym demonstrated and provided information about fitness for kids, and several booths offered martial arts classes designed to give children confidence and, perhaps, parents a measure of peace of mind.

Organizations with direct ties to parenting issues, including many individual schools, had booths, and people on hand to answer questions and provide information.

Principal Tim Harrison, of West Pines Elementary School, was offering children a chance to win an Earnhardt replica toy car, while their parents gathered information about enrollment, health records and testing.

The CHIPS Family Violence Shelter staffed a booth, giving away 300 small teddy bears before noon, volunteers there said.

Laws said many exhibits ran out of gifts and materials near the end of the day.

Nearly every booth gave away something, whether it was a pencil, a balloon, a refrigerator magnet, stickers or literature.

The Greene County Livestock Association, which promotes beef at every opportunity, gave away samples of beef jerky.