By Sally Voth -- Daily Staff Writer

FRONT ROYAL — Residents and visitors brought their children, their dogs, and even their birds to the nearly 40-year-old Festival of Leaves on Saturday.

One man could be seen walking down the vendor-packed Main Street with a large and colorful parrot on his shoulder. On Chester Street, a vendor had brought caged birds that were not for sale.

Although the festival — this was its 38th year — features a 5K race and parade, many of the attendees were attracted to the dozens of vendors. Everyone from crafters to church groups to the Boy Scouts had something to sell or say.

Fans of presidential hopefuls, Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama, showed their support by carrying away signs and wearing T-shirts they'd acquired at their respective candidates' booths. They could even get their pictures taken with life-size cutouts of Obama and McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin.

There was live music by the gazebo, and a living-history exhibition in the area of the Ivy House and the Balthis House.

Waltraud Hornick, in 18th-century garb, explained period life in the Balthis House's summer kitchen and in a tiny log cabin where meat would've been stored.

Stephens City residents Paul Passerini and Angela Dwyer were impressed with their tour of the historic site and the festival.

"It's one of the best that we've been to this year," Passerini said. "This house has been the highlight of the trip today. We just walked by by mistake and the door was open. Thank God for people who save these places."

Saturday was Dwyer's first Festival of Leaves despite her 30 years in the region.

"[It's] well put together and well organized, and I think this house is fascinating," she said.

Hornick said she was happy that the 18th century was being showcased along with the Civil War era.

Nearby, the 17th Va. Co. B Warren Rifles performed a live fire demonstration.

Just off of Chester Street, Dean Lamb oversaw the churning of a big vat of apple butter.

"It's just a family tradition," he said. "We made it for years. We made it here off and on for years. We've always come to the festival, done something with the festival. I've always enjoyed it. Tradition.

"We really enjoy [the festival]. It's still a good hometown festival."

Many festival goers were enjoying the dinners being served by the Williams Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

"This is probably one of the best turnouts that we've had," said Alba Turner, who helped coordinate the meals. "We're just about out of everything now. We just thank the community for all their support year after year."

The Warren County High School band boosters were getting good support, too, said Terri Stocker.

"It's great," she said. "I love to see all these people. The parade was fantastic."

Out on Main Street, Dianna Hutson was taking pictures of her 7-year-old son, Braydon as he posed inside one of the booths. The pair were visiting from Tennessee.

"It's awesome," Braydon said of the event, adding "the toys" were his favorite part. "I also like the thing where they were telling us how they light the guns and shoot them and stuff. She likes the places where she can take pictures."

* Contact Sally Voth at svoth@nvdaily.com