By JEFFREY SMITH Leader staff writer
The 40th annual CabotFest takes over downtown Cabot on Friday and Saturday with music, dance performances and vendor booths. Admission is free.
CabotFest began in 1978 to celebrate the city’s recovery from the deadly 1976 tornado that destroyed downtown.
The carnival runs 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday.
Armbands are available for Thursday and Friday night only for $20 in advance at the chamber of commerce office until 4:30 p.m. Friday and $25 at the festival.
Cabotfest kicks off at 5:45 p.m. Friday on the State Farm stage, at the corner of Second Street and Hwy. 89 with opening ceremonies, followed at 6 p.m. with the Battle of the Bands contest. Six bands are entered in the judged contest.
The winner will receive $250 and performs at 2:15 p.m. Saturday. Tragikly White will play at 7:45 p.m. Food vendors will be open.
Entertainment on Satur-day starts at 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the State Farm stage will be performances of dance groups, gymnastics, Cabot Community Theater, Limelight Performance Acad-emy, clogging and 5K race award winners.
The Larry Weathers Band will perform at 12:55 p.m. CabotFest pageant winners at 1:45 p.m., followed by Luke Williams at 2 p.m., Luke Erwin at 2:45 p.m., T.J. Ashley Band at 3:45 p.m. and Just Sayin Band at 5 p.m.
Over on the Waste Connections stage at the corner of West Main Street and Fourth Street will be Cabot Public Schools student performances starting at 9 a.m. Battle of the Bands winner at 2:15 p.m. Bree Ogden at 3 p.m. Sally Howell at 4 p.m. and Bailey Hefley at 5 p.m.
CabotFest has 130 vendors, a cricket spitting contest, a 5K race, a car show, Cabot Animal Shelter’s mobile adoption unit, Bingo, a family area with face painting and build-a-pal and the bookmobile.
“It is the 39th year. We are praying for good weather and anticipating a big crowd. Come out and have a good time,” chamber director Amy Williams said.
“This year we’ve added food vendors at the Waste Connection stage,” Williams said.
The 12 food vendors are Bubba’s Southern BBQ, Chef Donnie Ferneau, Dawg’s Deluxe, Food Commander, Filipino American Association, Kathy’s Kabana, Kona Ice, Mountain Home Kettle Corn, Rodeo Style Mud Bugs and W and M Concessions.
The Cabot AARP Chapter 3267 will be sponsoring a bingo booth at CabotFest from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.
“We will be stationed at the Regions Bank at 102 S. Second St. Each card will cost 50 cents and prizes include gifts that local merchants have donated. People will be able to sit and rest while supporting our local club,” according to the announcement.
The CabotFest bingo booth is the group’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds fund a college scholarship for a Cabot High School senior along with several local charities.
Cabot AARP meets on the fourth Monday of the month at the Cabot Senior Citizens Center, 600 N. Grant St.
The Cabot Lions Club will hold its annual pancake breakfast that kicks off CabotFest from 6 a.m. till 10 a.m. Saturday in the Cabot First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.
Tickets are $5 and $2 for kids 10 years old and under. They can be purchased from Lions Club members in advance or at the door. Carry-out and to-go orders will be available.
Guests are being asked to bring used eyeglasses to be recycled.