CONWAY— Neighbors and visitors gathered for events, art, and food on Sunday at the 60th Festival of the Hills, an annual fall festival that captures “the essence of Conway,” according to longtime volunteer and Conway resident Phyllis Jeswald.

“I wouldn’t live anywhere else, ” said Jeswald who has helped run the raffle of prizes from local artists for 25 years.

The Festival of the Hills, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, serves as a fundraiser for scholarships benefiting high school seniors from Conway. In the last seven years alone, it has awarded more than $35,000 to high school seniors and more than $155,000 in its six-decade history. At noon, the festival announced its 2024 Tricia Donovan Scholarship winner, high school graduate Patrice Moriarty, who is currently attending Williams College. The scholarship honors Tricia Donovan, who was a longtime chairperson of the Festival of the Hills.

Speaking of Donovan who initially encouraged Jeswald to join the festival’s mission, she said, “She was a force.”

The day kicked off with the annual Covered Bridge Classic 10k Road Race at 10 a.m. According to runner and Amherst resident Rebecca Hartman, Conway residents cheered from their front yards as she sped past them through the rolling hills of Conway. Training for a half marathon, Hartman said, “I wanted a tune-up that was scenic and pretty, I definitely got that.”

As Hartman and other racers crossed the finish line, attendees hollered and clapped from the steps of the Field Memorial Library. Inside, art from local artists lined the walls.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg here,” explained Aimee Anderson, coordinator of the exhibit. To Anderson, the display represented the creativity blooming from Conway’s community.

On the ballfield, new and longtime local artisans also sold their work to residents roaming and snacking.

Tricia Vinchesi sold art made from upcycled materials from local thrift stores and pressed flowers from her backyard. This festival marked her first time selling although she is a long time visitor, with both of her daughters past winners of the Tricia Donovan Scholarship. She described the festival as “a vital part of the community.”

At 11:30, visitors cheered as participants threw axes down into logs with a loud snap. Jeff Wagner split about 60 pounds of logs.

“The adrenaline was pumping,” Wagner said.

According to the first-time participant, the cheers from the crowd gave him the “support and inspiration” possible to spit the heavy logs, along with the good luck charm of the same sweatband his friend wore during the 10k.

The day of friendly competition and community connection continued with the Skillet Toss at 2 p.m. and capped off with the raffle drawing at 4 p.m.

“The town is spread out, so it’s hard to see the community all in one place,” said Anna Meyer, who ran the booth for Hart Farm. Eyes on the artisan booths and food on the field, she added. “It’s so colorful.”