Hendrix Park’s first annual Sports, Arts and Music Festival May 2 was a success, organizer Bryan Woods said.

Woods estimated about 1,500 people had come through the gates by 3 p.m. and expected more near sundown as the bigger bands came out.

Among the popular activities, according to Woods, were the helicopter rides, a Lacrosse demonstration by the Savannah Lacrosse Team, a British soccer demonstration, and drag cars from Oglethorpe Speedway.

"We’ve made enough to cover the scholarships this year," Woods said, "and that was the main goal the first year. We had a great turn out and will have even more next year."

Woods said next year’s festival date of May 8 has already been booked and planning begun.

Carol Boyd of Ellabell said the festival was a good idea.

"They put on a good event," she said. "It’s been fun."