By SARA GREENE
Leader staff writer
Volunteers are still needed to help out with CabotFest this weekend to set up, disburse drinks, work booths when vendors need a five-minute break, pick up trash, direct people and traffic and help close up when the party is over. “We’re going to have close to 200 vendors. The car show is going to be bigger this year and the CabotFest pageant has a lot of entries, so it’s going to be a great event,” said Trina Welch, CabotFest coordinator.
The celebration begins at 3 p.m. Friday when armbands will be offered for $15 for unlimited amusement rides. The carnival will be open from 3 p.m. until midnight. The CabotFest Pageant begins at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Family Life Center at Cabot First Baptist Church. Boys up to 5 years and girls up to age 19 will compete throughout the day in 13 divisions.
Miss CabotFest 2006 will receive a sash, crown, trophy and a $250 scholarship certificate to the school of her choice.
“My favorite part of CabotFest is the crisp cool air, the smell of cotton candy and popcorn, the roar of the rides and seeing the smile on everybody’s faces, young and old, as we come together once a year as a community to celebrate Cabot,” said Teri Miesner, volunteer coordinator for CabotFest.
New to CabotFest this year is a 3-on-3 basketball tournament sponsored by the Arkansas Rim Rockers development league.
Players ages 5 years and up can compete. The tournament will culminate in a “Top Gun Blowout” featuring Arkansas basketball legends Kareem Reed and Scotty Thurman.
Cabot Lion’s Club opens Saturday’s events with a pancake breakfast from 6 to 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church. Booths and stages open at 9 a.m. Entertainment at the main stage this year includes: Stormy Weather from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m; Blue Cahoots, 10:30 a.m. to noon; The Munks, 12:30 to 2 p.m.; Ed Buckner and The Meteors from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Riverbilly from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Performers on the family stage include: Bongo Willie from 9 to 9:40 a.m.; Jeff Jenkins from 10 to 10:30 a.m.; Bongo Willie from 11 to 11:40 a.m.; Hallelujah Harmony from noon to 12:45 p.m.; Ashley Pettit from 1 to 1:30 p.m.; Bongo Willie from 2 to 2:40 p.m.; Clifton Fowler from 3 to 3:30 p.m.; Jason Eagle from 3:45 to 4:15 p.m.
More children’s activities are planned including the return of the rock-climbing wall and a children’s playground by First Security Bank. There will be arts and crafts vendors, and various foods and drinks.
“My favorite part of CabotFest is seeing people come out to support their community and have a good time,” said Denise Drye, a CabotFest volunteer. Plenty of businesses will display their services and wares and civic organizations such as Cabot City Beautiful and the local AARP chapter will be on hand.