STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE
Samantha Hunt, right, and Stephen Pruitt of the local band Voxana perform during Springfest Saturday, June 22, 2013, on West Dickson Street in Fayetteville.
It’s finally springtime in Northwest Arkansas, and that means it’s soon to be outdoor festival season. As soon as next weekend, in fact.
The time-honored tradition of Springfest will return to Dickson Street on Saturday, April 16, with the popular pancake breakfast, bed races, a dog parade, a pub crawl, dozens of great local arts and crafts vendors, live music and other fun family-friendly activities it’s been known for in its 33-year lifespan.
As a future travel advisory, Locust Street to Gregg Street will be closed for the festival to take place.
Hosted by Habitat for Humanity, the festival will begin with the pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. in the Walton Arts Center Parking Lot, followed by the annual Springfest 5k at 8 a.m. Participants can register for the Springfest 5K online at register-wizard. Registration is $25 for adults, $20 for students and the price includes a free meal at the pancake breakfast.
STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE
Jessey Carter of Fayetteville smiles while demonstrating her Hypnohoops on sale during the 28th annual Springfest Saturday, April 24, 2010, on Dickson Street in Fayetteville. Carter teaches aerobics with the hoops and came out to sell them during the longtime Fayetteville festival.
Live music from several home-grown local bands will take place throughout the day on three stages: the Bruce Walker Memorial Stage located in the Walton Arts Center lot on Dickson Street, one at Powerhouse and a third stage at Kingfish.
Gelynda Johnson, a Fayetteville native, will be performing with Take The Space at 2 p.m. at the Powerhouse Stage.
“I’m very excited to be playing, and it’s about the local aspect,” Johnson said.
“I want to share our music with everyone and check out the other bands and local groups. It’s important to support local music. Hopefully it won’t snow or rain out this year.”
One of the cornerstones of the festival, of course, is the uphill bed races that start at 1 p.m. Teams of three, with one rider and two drivers that will compete one on one. Sign-ups will be available the day of the event.
STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE
“My Bed Pulls Out” teammates Dustin Seaton, left, and Emil Koch, top, push a bed with teammate Tiffany Dickey on board during the bed races at Springfest Saturday, June 22, 2013, on West Dickson Street in Fayetteville.
There’s also going to be a sure-to-be adorable dog parade at 10:30 a.m., sponsored by Pit Bull Ambassadors.
If you or your organization are interested in applying for vendor space, craft, food and community organizations can apply to be a vendor by contacting vendor coordinator Michelle Davis at michelled@habitatwashington coar.org.
The deadline for applications is April 9, but Davis said to be sure to call 479-575-9696 (dial 0) and verify if you apply after April 9. They will try to fit everyone in if there’s room, Davis said.
“(Springfest) is a community event, and Habitat For Humanity is about building a strong community. So it felt like the right thing to do to step in and make sure the festival kept going,” said Michelle Davis, the local Habitat for Humanity resource development manager.
“It’s been interesting with the Walton Arts Center closing and Jose’s closing. It’s certainly been challenging, but this is a community that pulls together and they’ve done so.”
STAFF PHOTO ANDY SHUPE
Visitors walk down West Dickson Street check out the 29th annual Springfest Saturday, April 30, 2011, in Fayetteville. The event featured music, crafts and vendors.
Proceeds from the event benefit the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Davis said the festival has often been a success, where as much as $10,000 was raised by last year’s Springfest.
For more information, visit www.fayettevillespringfest.com.
Spring Fest Schedule of Events
7:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m.: Pancake Breakfast – Sponsored by Fayetteville Sam’s Club
(WAC Parking lot – Corner of West & Dickson)
8:00 a.m.: 5K Run – Sponsored by Fayetteville Whole Foods
(Corner of Campbell & Dickson)
9:30 a.m. – Spring Fest 5k Awards Ceremony
(WAC Parking lot)
10:30 a.m.: Dog Parade Sponsored by Pit Bull Ambassadors
11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: Live Local Music
7:00 p.m. – Pub Crawl starting at Kingfish
Kid’s Zone – WAC Parking Lot
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Face Painting
10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.: Slide
11:00 a.m. – Jack the Magician
1:00 p.m. – Bed Races – Sponsored by The X
Main Stage on Dickson
2:00 p.m. – Jack the Magician
Music Line-Up
Bruce Walker Stage
11:00-11:45 a.m. – Voxana
12:00-12:45 p.m. – Opal Agafia
1:00-2:00 p.m. – Bed Races
2:00-2:45 p.m. – Left of Center
3:00-3:45 p.m. – Coyote Union
4:00-4:45 p.m. – 412 West
Powerhouse Stage
2:00-2:45 p.m. – Take the Space
3:00-3:45 p.m. – Copelin Bates
4:00-4:45 p.m. – Daryl Brooks Band
5:00-5:45 p.m. – Got it Covered
6:00-6:45 p.m. – Bottle Rocket
Kingfish Stage
2:00-2:45 p.m. – The Hurricanes
3:00-3:45 p.m. – The Good People
4:00-4:45 p.m. – The Blacklisted
5:00-5:45 p.m. – Cosmic-American
6:00-6:45 p.m. – Drawing Blanks
7:00-7:45 p.m. – Squarshers
8:00-8:45 p.m. – The Alter Egos
9:00-10:00 p.m. – Irie Lions
