4-20-11 —     It's hard to believe its been five years since the first SpringFest,  

but this year marks that anniversary. And organizers believe this  

year's festival will be the best ever.

    Many favorite events return this year, and when you add some of the  

best local and regional talent it promises to be a great event,  

according to Shannon Hutchinson, president of the Monticello-Wayne  

County Chamber of Commerce.

    SpringFest is slated for May 13-14, with southern rock group Molly  

Hatchet scheduled as the headlining concert. It will again be held at  

Monticello-Wayne County Memorial Park, and Hutchinson noted there  

will be something for everyone in the family to enjoy.

    Admission to SpringFest is free and the event will once again  

include KidZone, with free inflatables. That has been a very popular  

place for the kids to visit and is back due to the generous support  

of sponsors—the City of Monticello, Wayne County Fiscal Court and the  

Monticello Utility Commission.

    Of course, there will be arts and crafts vendors set up throughout  

the event, and there will be plenty of food to choose from.  

Organizers are encouraging local groups who want to set up a booth to  

contact the Chamber as soon as possible.

    Hutchinson noted that the trackless train, which was part of the  

event a couple of years ago, is back and kids can enjoy train rides  

around the park at a nominal charge.

    A couple of new things this year include the Jeremy Hicks Motorcycle  

Ride for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. While SpringFest has  

featured a motorcycle ride in the past, this is the first time to  

include this ride, which has been going on for several years and  

supports a good cause.

    There will also be a softball tournament going on at Memorial Park  

during the festival, with a number of teams participating. There will  

also be a 5K Walk/Run and a  1 Mile Fun Run on this year's schedule,  

according to Hutchinson

    Once again, SpringFest will feature a Classic Car Show and Shine and  

both local car clubs will participate. Hutchinson noted that  

entertainment will be featured at the park gazebo during the car show.

    The exact schedule for musical entertainment is still being ironed  

out, but at this point organizers know that Rapid Transit and Klassyc  

Tymes will be on the schedule for Friday night. On Saturday, the  

schedule includes performances by the Bell Tones, Reverend John and  

Stumpwater, as well as other regional acts. Molly Hatchet will be on  

stage at about 8:30 Saturday night.

    "This is our fifth SpringFest and feel it is one of the most  

complete events we have ever had," said Hutchinson. "And none of this  

would be possible without our great sponsors...They are just great  

partners who continue to believe in SpringFest."

    Gates will open at 4 p.m. on Friday, May 13 and the opening ceremony  

for SpringFest will begin at about 5 p.m. Entertainment will follow.  

On Saturday, things will start happening early, with the run as well  

as the car show. Entertainment should begin about 11 a.m.

    For more information about SpringFest, check out heart of  

lakecumberlandspringfest.com or contact the Chamber of Commerce at  

(606) 348-3064. A more complete schedule will be available on the  

website at a later date.