Warm weather and sunshine drew large crowds to the Washington Cherry Festival over the weekend, but what really heated up the four-day event was the new Cherry Cookery Contest.
Cooks and bakers of all ages conjured up everything from cherry pie to cherry-stuffed blackened chicken.

See the winning recipes at the end of this story!

Thousands flocked to the 11th annual Cherry Festival over the weekend for carnival rides, games, food and plenty of cherry-themed activities, such as the Cherry Pit Spit contest, the Cherry Pie Eating contest, the Cherry Cookery Contest, Cherry-Oke and many more. There were also plenty of cherry delicacies to eat, including cherry pie and the famous cherry beef brisket tacos.

Saturday's schedule:

7 to 11 a.m. - Rotary Club Pancake and Sausage Breakfast.

7:30 a.m. - 5K Run and 1-Mile Fun Run/Walk, beginning at Five Points Washington.

8 a.m. to 2 p.m. - St. Jude Runners Charity Car Show at the Uftring Chevy Saab lot, sponsored by the Mid Illinois Corvette Club.

9 a.m. to 8 p.m. - Festival Merchant's Tent.

9 to 11 a.m. - Kiddie Tractor Pull by the water tower on Constitution Street.

10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Crafts on the Square.

10 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Wilson Family Shows Carnival on the Midway. Armband Day. $15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Food concessions.

11 a.m. to dusk - Miller's Petting Zoo.

11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Cherry Pie Eating Contest on the CEFCU Main Stage. Sponsored by Denhart Baking Company. Open to all ages, but children under 18 must have parental consent. Prizes for winners.

Noon to 9:30 p.m. - Cherry Beef Brisket Tacos, served by volunteers from First Baptist Church.

Noon to midnight - Festival Beer Garden. Must be 21 with ID.

Noon - Horseshoe Tournament at the Festival Beer Garden, provided by Curt Reynolds. Must be 21 with ID.

Noon to 5 p.m. - Children's Event Area open, located in the food tent area, provided by Venue Art Gallery.

Noon to 4:30 p.m. - WHOI 19 Kids Count Finger Painting by RSVP volunteers.

12:30 to 3 p.m. - Euchre Tournament at the Festival Beer Garden. Registration at noon. Must be 21 with ID.

1 p.m. - BAGGO Tournament at the Festival Beer Garden. Registration at 12:30 p.m. Must be 21 with ID.

1 p.m. - Cherry Cookery Contest at Lori's Kitchen Store on the square. Drop off dishes between 1 and 2 p.m. Judging starts at 2 p.m.

1:30 p.m. - Cherry Pit Spit (cherry seed spitting contest) at the food tent area. Open to all ages. Prizes for winners. Sponsored by State Farm/Roger Hickman.

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Phoenix on the CEFCU Main Stage.

6:30 p.m. - Winners announced for the Baby Photo Contest and Cherry Dish Contest.

8:30 to 11:30 p.m. - The Coco-Loco Band on the CEFCU Main Stage.

What's your favorite Cherry Festival activity? Take the poll at the end of this story.

If there was something missing from the Cherry Festival, it was a cherry cook-off.

But Washington’s annual four-day celebration is now complete, as the Cherry Cookery Contest will make its debut at this year’s festival on Saturday, May 30.

The seventh grade students at Beverly Manor Grade School in Washington invite Washington residents to attend the premiere of their “My 3 Words” project and video at 6 p.m. Thursday at Beverly Manor School.

After a short break, the Washington Community High School talent show returned to the stage April 2.

Several Washington residents learned more about Abraham Lincoln’s years before he was president during “Celebrating Lincoln Today in Portraits Past” Thursday night in the Caterpillar Performing Arts Center at Five Points Washington.

Drama students from Washington Community High School are playing a large role in Thursday night’s Abraham Lincoln celebration at Five Points Washington.

The Washington Community High School Band Boosters invite all eighth-grade band students, WCHS band members and their families to Puttin’ on the Ritz Saturday at Crossroads United Methodist Church.

Group to present Portrait of Lincoln’s past in Washington

Organizers of a next week’s Abraham Lincoln celebration at Five Points Washington are banking on the fact many Washington parents and students do not know much about the 16th President of the United States and his history with the city.

VIDEO EXTRA:

This past Saturday 450 residents filled the banquet rooms at Five Points Washington for Howl at the Moon.

More than a dozen girls from throughout the state will compete at three different pageants at Five Points Washington Saturday.

Washington Community High School students presented the spring production, "Romeo, You Idiot," Feb. 12-14 at Five Points Washington for a three-night performance.

Today in Washington - Feb. 18, 2009

Washington Community High School has a rising new musical phenomenon.

The WCHS Pantherettes paired up with some senior guys as the half-time entertainment during the Panthers' face-off against the Dunlap Eagles.