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BECKLEY — Parachuters dropped in on it, drivers flung mud in it, kids took rides for the duration of it and major Nashville country acts belted out songs from the Friends of Coal Auto Fair Saturday. The parachuters, members of the U.S. Army Golden Knights Parachute Team, performed while local singer Anna Sumpter accompanied them with a rendition of the national anthem. Jay Rist, CEO of the YMCA of Southern West Virginia, said the reasonable is one of the YMCA’s biggest fundraisers each year and this year’s event was on track to become the best one yet. “We’ve exceeded our expected values this year,” Rist said. “We knew this was going to be the greatest and best show we’ve ever done, particularly because of all the mainstream musicians that were coming into play and all of the additions coming to the show this year. “We knew it was going to be a huge event, but we didn’t know it was going to be an 80,000-person picnic.” Rist said next year is looking even better and that he is taking notes for improvements. Keeping the event fresh by adding new attractions each year will aid match the ambition of the YMCA’s fundraising efforts, he said. “We’re attempting to raise $200,000,” Rist said. “We set our goals high, and we’re looking at 750 vehicles and motorcycles. … It’s unquestionably a huge year, but it couldn’t have been done without every one in this community coming out and supporting.” Automobile fanciers packed the event to see vehicles of all kinds on display at the automati fair. Jeremy Pickett, 32, said he came to the automati reasonable because he heard how huge the event had become. “It’s just a great event for the family,” Pickett said. “I’m loving the cars, and the kids can’t wait to get over to the carnival. “The food’s pretty great too,” he added while motioning to a sandwich topped with mozzarella sticks. Little Big Town and Josh Turner, both major national country acts, likewise performed for those who had secured tickets to the concert. There was also an aerial demonstration of Wally’s Squadron R.C. Flyers of Summersville Saturday afternoon.  Buck Hamrick, of Wally’s Squadron, said the event permitted him to demonstrate the growingly frequent sideline of piloting remote-control vehicles. “Most people don’t even recognise it’s going on in their community,” Hamrick said. “They may recognise regarding it or heard with regards to it but never have gone to see it, and there are a great deal of clubs around. “It’s very much a family-oriented hobby. Little kids and little kids that are 92 years old love to do it.” The state’s biggest remote-control plane fly-in will be hosted by Wally’s Squadron in Summersville Aug. 20-21. The reasonable will proceed beginning at 8 a.m. today, with free admittance to the showgrounds. A non-denominational church service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Rides will open at 1 p.m., with the event concluding around 5 p.m. Unlimited rides may be purchased for $12. In addition to the general rides and carnival fare, there will be vender booths and displays. A simulated mine will be available to explore as well as the mine capsule applied to save victims of the Chilean mine disaster. The Kyle Busch Motorsports truck, monster truck Grinder and the U.S. Army’s Orange County Chopper will all be on site. Individuals may run through the mud bog from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Helicopter rides will also be available for $29.95 per person. Also today, awards and prizes will be handed out to winners from the car show. For more information, visit friendsofcoalautofair.com. — E-mail: