By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
Autumn is in the air and so will the sights and sounds of the 30th annual Cabotfest 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday. Admission and parking are free.
“CabotFest has grown in size along with the city. It brings the community together, from individuals to organizations working together to show what a great city we’ve got,” said Mayor Eddie Joe Williams.
An expected 20,000 people are estimated to attend CabotFest.
“The chamber invites you to join your friends and neighbors for a fun-filled day atCabotFest,” said Billye Everett, director of the Cabot Chamber of Commerce.
Musical entertainment for this year includes sets from the Salty Dogs, a county band from Little Rock; Married by Elvis, a melting pot of county, rock and blues, from Nashville, Tenn.; Kingsdown, a rock band from Batesville; Hwy. 5, Christian rock from Little Rock; and PriceCrew, a pop group from Jacksonville.
Also Luke Williams Band, country and southern rock, from Beebe; Dennis Farmer and the Hallelujah Harmony Quartet, a gospel group based in Cabot, and gospel singers Amy and Howie Ross.
A second stage will hold performances from several local bands, martial arts demonstrations and dance studio performances.
An unusual event new this year is a cricket-spitting contest put on by the Living Waters Church youth group.
Contestants will be spitting frozen crickets to see who can make the insects travel the furthest.
New to the festival is the Kids Zone, at Regions Bank’s parking lot. A secured fenced-area with an inflatable playground and a large sand pile will be available for children to play in at the fest.
CabotFest attendees will have a lot to see. There will be arts and crafts displayed, nearly 150 vendors to visit, along with 16 food vendors selling everything from corn dogs and funnel cakes to cotton candy.
Returning this year is the carnival. Beginning Friday night from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. festival goers can ride an unlimited amount of rides with an armband for $12 in advance and $15 at the booth.