What was estimated as a possible record crowd turned out Saturday and Sunday for Rumble in the Hills at Rocky Fork State Park and plans are to continue to make the event bigger and better, according to Mike McGuire, who served as co-coordinator of the event this year along with his father, Joey McGuire.

“I think it was great. I know the feedback we’re getting is really positive,” Mike McGuire said Monday. “Over on the east end of the lake the people were lined up so thick you could hardly walk through there.”

After being postponed a couple years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event featured hydroplane boats races both days, a Sassafras Music Festival and Joey’s Classic Car Show on Sunday, a fireworks display Saturday, food and other vendors, a Kids Zone and more.

“We survived the pandemic, we’re back, and it was good to see everybody out and having fun. We’re building up for an even better event next year,” McGuire said.

He said some of the possible future attractions that have been tossed around in the past include hot air balloon and helicopter rides.

McGuire said about 50 boats took part in the races that were delayed for about two hours Sunday due to rain. While the course around two islands has produced more than 20 world records in the past, there were none set last weekend.

Scott Miller, who helps organize the car show, said around 80 vehicles turned out for that part of the event.

McGuire said the festival will likely be held on the last weekend in July in the years to follow. He said it was formerly held the third weekend in July, but that interfered with the Greene Countrie Towne Festival in Greenfield, and Rumble in the Hills organizers do not want to take away from the Greenfield Rotary Club event.

A new feature this year was that those who could not attend the races could watch them streamed live at https://boatracing.tkdssports.com/…/inboard-racing…/.

McGuire said that in addition to the races, Saturday’s fireworks show should be viewable soon on the Rumble in the Hills Facebook page.

“That was the big thing this year, where people could watch the races online if they weren’t able to make it out to the event,” he said.

Reach Jeff Gilliland at 937-402-2522.

A trio of hydroplane boats leave trails in the water during Rumble in the Hills over the weekend at Rocky Fork Lake in this drone picture taken by Wesley Miller.

https://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2022/08/web1_Race-pic-1.jpgA trio of hydroplane boats leave trails in the water during Rumble in the Hills over the weekend at Rocky Fork Lake in this drone picture taken by Wesley Miller. Photo courtesy of Wesley Miller

Two racers throw up rooster tails as they near the finish line Sunday at Rumble in the Hills held at Rocky Fork State Park.

https://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2022/08/web1_Race-pic-2.jpgTwo racers throw up rooster tails as they near the finish line Sunday at Rumble in the Hills held at Rocky Fork State Park. Jeff Gilliland | The Times-Gazette

Visitors discuss a pair of dragsters at Joey’s Classic Car Show at Rocky Fork State Park.

https://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2022/08/web1_Race-pic-3.jpgVisitors discuss a pair of dragsters at Joey’s Classic Car Show at Rocky Fork State Park. Jeff Gilliland | The Times-Gazette

Timberland Express plays during the Sassafras Music Festival at Rumble in the Hills.

https://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2022/08/web1_Race-pic-4.jpgTimberland Express plays during the Sassafras Music Festival at Rumble in the Hills. Jeff Gilliland | The Times-Gazette

Visitors walk around the Joey’s Classic Car Show area on the east end of Rocky Fork State Park over the weekend at Rumble in the Hills.

https://www.timesgazette.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2022/08/web1_Race-pic-5.jpgVisitors walk around the Joey’s Classic Car Show area on the east end of Rocky Fork State Park over the weekend at Rumble in the Hills. Jeff Gilliland | The Times-Gazette