Art shows, cars shows, an Idol Search contest, a charity bachelor auction, dragon boat races and parks full of free activities kept visitors to the 27th annual Pride of the Fox RiverFest busy this past weekend in downtown St. Charles.

Here are the winners of the festival’s various awards and contests:

• Brain Zapien of South Elgin took Best of Show honors in the Fine Arts and Jewelry Show. Zapien has been a longtime supporter of the show through his Zapien Artistic Productions. His intricate pencil works accurately depict the myriad details of architectural landmarks of the area, such as the “Bean” in Chicago’s Millennium Park, Wrigley Field, the Marshall Field Clock and many more.

Second place went to Zaki Knapen of Art Studio La Palette, Glen Ellyn, and third to Phyllis Lee Lethco, Mystic Creations, McFarland, Wis., for her jewelry.

• Best of All in the ages 6 to 17 RiverFest Idol Search contest went to Chelsea Myers, 17, of Elgin, for her renditions of “Proud Mary” and “Here for the Party.” Later this week, Chelsea will be trying for a win at the American Idol Search.

Best Male Vocalist went to Dylan Ward, 11, of St. Charles, who performed his a capella “Viva La Vide” and accompanied “Shake It.”

There was a two-way tie for tops in the 14-and-older category between Alyssa Parma, 14, of Geneva and Carly Hoban, 16, of St. Charles.

Best in the 11 – 13 group was Carly’s sister Jackie Hoban, 13, and taking the Best 10-and-under award was Jamie Dowart, 8, of St. Charles.

• Despite an early morning drenching Saturday, dragon boat racing got in a full day of competition with the Lincoln Park Boat Club of Chicago taking first place in the Komodo Division, followed by Rookies of St. Charles in second and Knot N’ Sync of St. Charles in third.

First in Saturday’s Lizard Division went to the Steel Dragons of Glendale Heights, with DeKalb Flying Ears second and World Dragons of Evanston third. Saturday’s Spirit Award went to Elgin Community College.

On Sunday’s card, the Maoris of Fox Valley Rugby took first in the Komodo Division, with Coffee News Cafinators of St. Charles second and BC – CX Racers of Elgin third.

It was the Fox Valley VW team that took top honors in the Lizard Division on Sunday, followed by the Drargonnes of Westmont in second and Draggin Anchors (city of St. Charles) third, with the Spirit Award going to the Coffee News Cafinators.

Fox Valley Volkswagen guaranteed vocal support by hosting its company picnic tented on the grounds adjacent to the race course in Pottawatomie Park.

• Top bid in the 2nd annual RiverFest Bachelor Charity Auction brought $225 from a “syndicate” of ladies from the St. Charles Kiwanis Club for a date with Mike Dixon, the St. Charles architect filling the auction’s “silver fox” slot. Dixon’s chosen charity was Kiwanis’ foundation to support Third World children. Winning bidders and bachelors receive dinner and a show from sponsor Onesti Dinner Club and Arcada Theatre.

A total of $1,835 was raised for charities designated by the bachelors.

They were twentysomethings Dr. Nick Kuennen of Aurora, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Dr. Jimmy Lopez of Chicago, UNICEF.

In the thirtysomethings category were Tony Nuccio of Elgin, Relay for Life (Cancer Crusaders); Dennis Jeanpierre Jr., of Woodridge, Make-A-Wish Foundation; and Mike Spaeth of Lisle, Wounded Warrior Fund.

Forty-something Don Gregory of Schaumburg, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation; and fiftysomethings Roy Mikesh of Aurora, Muscular Dystrophy Association, and Bo Smith of Geneva, Shelter Assistance Committee (St. Charles Ministries) rounded out the auction.