By JOAN McCOY
Leader staff writer
Organizers of the 32nd annual CabotFest set for Friday evening and all day Saturday say this year’s event will likely draw a crowd of more than 25,000.
The weather is supposed to be perfect; about 175 vendors are expected; Michael Sarver, season eight American Idol winner will perform, and new attractions have been added.
The carnival that is setting up today will be open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and all day Saturday. Armbands for unlimited rides Friday night are available now for $12 at the office of Cabot Chamber ofCommerce, the festival sponsor.
On Saturday morning from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., the Cabot Lions Club will host a pancake breakfast ($5 for adults, $2 for children 10 and under) at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall. Tickets are available from any Cabot Lions Club member or at the door.
Opening ceremonies for the festival start at 10 a.m. Entertainment on the main stage begins at 11:15 a.m. with The Next Generation followed by The Voyagers at 12:15 p.m., Price Crew at 1:15 p.m., Chris Stillman at 2:15 p.m., Matthew Huss at 4:15 p.m. and Michael Sarver from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The beauty pageant with eight categories for contestants less than one year old to 19 starts at 9 a.m. at the Cabot Community Theater.
The festival will also feature a car show and motorcycle show. This is the first year for a BMX freestyle stunt show with three performances at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. behind booths 39 through 45.
Cabot’s AARP will host a bingo game and First Assembly of God Church will host, for the third year in a row, a cricket-spitting contest at the top of every hour from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the corner of Main and Second.
New to the kiddy area of the festival is balloon artist and magician Derrick Rose.
The Lions Club offers carry-out and delivery service for its pancake breakfast. To order, call 501-920-2122.
Money collected will help pay for glasses for local children. It also will benefit Lions World Services For The Blind, Mid-South Sight and Hearing Service, Arkansas Lions Eye Bank and Laboratory, Leader Dogs for the Blind, Cabot Lions Scholarship Fund, diabetes research and prevention, as well as numerous local scouting programs.
The breakfast also is a good time to bring in used eyeglasses which are recycled.
