A tradition was born, a dynasty rose, and a community came together in the thousands during the Festival at Mount Si, Aug. 8 to 10.

Some moments were amazing, like the synchronized moves of local youth dance and gymnastics groups, or the hypnotic swaying of the belly dance troupe’s performances; some were sweet, like the Fab Five Brownies marching in the parade, the determined standing ovation a senior citizen gave to the marching band, or Abby Laufer’s joy when she was named winner of the youth blueberry dessert contest. And some were just memorable, like the first-ever wife-carrying contest at Si View Park Sunday afternoon, or Saturday night’s concert by Austin Jenckes, or the repeat performance of , who again claimed the piggy trophy in the cherry pie eating contest Saturday.

“It’s not meant to be pretty, it’s meant to be epic!” says Cortney Tubbs, a longtime helper with the pie-eating contest, sponsored by Twede’s Cafe.

It was, too, even at the junior level, of the contest. Kaja “The Mouse” Johnson, predicted going into the event that she would win, a neighbor said. After she did, Johnson declared “I can never eat cherry pie again!”

Winners of the wife-carrying contest, with a time of 38.68 seconds through the running, hopping, crawling, balancing, spinning and sprinting obstacle course were Chris and Kristin Dalla Santa. Greg and Carlye Lowell also earned some recognition in the event for turning out in costume.

Grand prize of the parade, sponsored by Snoqualmie Casino, went to the Snoqualmie Valley Youth Marching Band and their crowd-pleasing dance moves. First place in the Animals category was Encompass, with a “Frozen” reindeer look-alike. Pioneer Coffee won in the antique vehicles category, Valley Center Stage took first in organizations, and Ignite Dance & Yoga took first in performance.

Abby Laufer won the junior division of the Burstin’ with Blueberries dessert contest, and Lori Kimball won the adult division, each receiving Bybee Farms blueberries and gift certificates to Steve’s Doughnuts.

In the Chili Cook-off on Sunday, many of the winning teams were familiar faces. Just Chillin’ won first place in the People’s Choice category, and third in the official judging, and Chunky Monkey claimed the top judges’ prize of $300.

Blake Meister grimaces as Britney Lankhaar blues up his ‘do at the Si View hair color booth.

Parade Grand Marshal Marty Fagan stops to chat with fans Lucas and Liam Eubank.

Austin Jenckes croons to a hometown crowd as the sunset colors Mount Si.

Linda Ness belly dances while balancing a sword atop her head in the parade.

Tuba players show their colors in the grand-prize winning, crowd-pleasing Snoqualmie Valley Youth Marching Band.

Greg and Carlye Lowell run for glory in the wife-carrying competition.

Chris and Kristin Dalla Santa, right, won the wife-carrying competition, and thus, Kristin’s weight in beer, and their fellow competitors, Greg and Carlye Lowell were rewarded for their colorful costumes with (what else?) beer.

Roger Jones acts as the chef mascot for the Isabella Grace Winery chili cook-off team Sunday.

Abby Laufer, left, and Lori Kimball were the winners of the Burstin’ with Blueberries dessert contest. Laufer won the youth division and Kimball won the adult division.

Alex “Hollow Legs” Karlov receives a trophy from Kyle Twede for his repeat win of the cherry pie-eating contest Saturday. He ate one entire pie and started on a second in the three-minute event.

Ignite Dance & Yoga students perform during the parade. They won first prize in the performance category of the parade judging.

A visiting Seafair pirate pauses to chat up a saucy wench he found in the audience.

A pony doubles as the “Frozen” reindeer Sven in the Encompass parade float. Encompass took first place in the animals category of the parade judging.

Caleb Ebersol and his dog Matilda take a break from all the Festival at Mount Si activities.