5-18-10 —     It's only in its third year but the Heart of Lake Cumberland SpringFest

has developed a reputation of being an excellent experience for the whole

family. Whether you want to listen to some great music, shop for arts and

crafts, play games or enjoy delicious goodies, there is literally something

for everyone to enjoy during the two-day event. And it all gets underway

Friday at 4 p.m. at Memorial Park.

    First on the stage Friday will be the Monticello Elementary Choir at 5

p.m. The Lake Cumberland's Got Talent Show is slated to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Rapid Transit will take the stage at 8 p.m. Klassyc Tymes will headline

Friday night's entertainment beginning at about 9:15 p.m.

    A variety of different groups will perform on Saturday, beginning with

the Bell Tones at 11 a.m. Plan to stay all day and listen to music by

Reverend John and the Backsliders (3 p.m.), The Mojo's (4:15 p.m.), Ugly

Tree (5:30 p.m.), Velveeta Jones (6:45 p.m.), and Andy and the Rockers (8

p.m.).

    Saturday night's big event will begin at approximately 9 p.m. when

Starship featuring Mickey Thomas takes the stage. In early 1979, Thomas was

asked to join Jefferson Starship after the departure of Marty Balin and

Grace Slick.

    Thomas spent the early 1980s as the main vocalist of Jefferson Starship,

performing several duets with Slick (who rejoined in 1981) and gaining

greater influence  in the band. From 1985 until 1989 the newly dubbed

³Starship² scored some of its biggest hits.

    Hits include ³Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now,² ³Sara,² and ³We Built This

City.²

    Slick left again in 1988. In 1990, Thomas changed the name to Starship

featuring Mickey Thomas and they began to tour. The band includes: Darrell

Verdusco-Drums; Phil Bennett-keyboards, background vocals; Jeff Adams-bass,

background vocals; Mark Abrahamian-guitar; Stephanie Calvert-vocals; and

Mickey Thomas-vocals.

    Music is just part of the weekend. There will be many vendor booths,

arts and crafts and the popular KidZone, which includes a number of

inflatables and other activities that are free for kids.

    There will be a Classic Car and Antique Tractor Show and Shine as part

of the festival, and the SpringFest Motorcycle Run is slated for Saturday,

May 15. Riders will participate in a 124 mile ride along East KY 92, across

Highway 700 to Cumberland Falls and back. Registration is set to begin at 10

a.m. that day and the ride will begin at 12 noon.

    There is no admission charge for SpringFest, and Vicki Davis, who is the

chairperson for the event committee, noted that the great partnerships with

local businesses has made it all possible.

    ³All of this happens because we have great partners and sponsors that

continue to support SpringFest,² said Davis. ³Money is tight and budgets are

smaller across the nation, but we feel so fortunate to have the number of

businesses donating that we do. This event could  not happen without their

support.²

    For more information about SpringFest visit the website at

heartoflakecumberlandspringfest.com or call the Chamber office at (606)

348-3064.