By Emma Stone
From toys to snacks to stuffed animals, parents coaxed their babies as they raced to the end for this year’s Peach Fest’s Diaper Derby.
June 3 at 9 a.m. in front of the Peach Fest stage, Queen Dixie Gem Peach Emma Carter introduced three “heats” in which the babies competed.
Babies from as young as 6 months old to 24 months old crawled and ran to victory while others took the scenic route.
Each heat crowned a first, second and third place winner. Sonny-Keith Carpenter won first place of the first division.
“We definitely trained,” said Faith Carpenter, mother of Sonny-Keith. “I made sure he was literally a little hungry, so he would be crawling fast.”
The first-place winner for the second division was baby Jase Fartal with a birthday just this week.
“He’s at the top of his age bracket, so we thought he had a good chance,” said Abbie Fartal, mother of Jase. “It’s exciting, because we love being a part of Ruston, and so getting to participate this year was a lot of fun.”
While the other babies had an advantage, Melanie Bowles competed in the last division with the older participants and won first place.
“We were concerned, because she only crawls and is barely walking,” said Catherine Bowles, mother of Melanie. “We’ll celebrate for a little while.”
Each speedster baby had a “formula” on their hands, knees or feet that won them a trophy and a good laugh.
