Published: April 24, 2008 11:48 am      

Good times roll in Cleburne: Springfest 2008

By Monica Green

features@trcle.com



The good times roll to Cleburne this weekend for the 19th annual Springfest. The Downtown Cleburne Association holds the event annually in Market Square to promote downtown Cleburne.

“It’s a time to celebrate spring and family and have fun in our town and show people what our downtown used to be and what it still can be,” said Bettye Cook, the 2008 Springfest coordinator.

The festivities begin Friday evening with live entertainment at the Wright Plaza. In His Hands, Jammers and Austin Cunningham will perform.

“We have 16 hours of live entertainment scheduled,” Cook said.

Saturday the stage will be filled with local dancers and a jump rope team, the ZZ Skippers from Grandview. Also playing Saturday are several country and rock bands. Sunday visitors will be able to hear several different gospel groups.

“We have good bands, and we really want people to come and enjoy it,” Cook said. “I think it’s going to be a good time.”

Both Friday and Saturday evening five $50 Albertson’s gift cards will be given away in a drawing. Saturday evening the drawing for a $200 grill from Lowe’s Home Improvement will be held at 8:45 p.m.

Participants must be present to win, and tickets cost $1 and are available at the DCA booth Friday and Saturday.

Saturday activities include the Buffalo Creek Association’s Ducky Derby, Keep Cleburne Beautiful’s Duck-Waddle and a blood drive hosted by the Cleburne Masonic Lodge. The blood drive is from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the lodge.

“Of course those who donate blood will receive a free T-shirt,” Cook said, “but also the Masonic Lodge will give those who donate a free barbecue sandwich. They are also selling sandwiches.”

The annual antique car show hosted by D and D Rockin’ Rods Classic Car Shows and sponsored by Lone Star Chrysler Dodge Jeep Autoplex will be held at the First Baptist Church parking lot.

The Layland Museum hosts the Car Guys with Jerry Meek at 2 p.m. in Mill St. Coffee House. The event is free for all ages, and children can make box race cars at 3 p.m.

The Cleburne Public Library hosts a book sale and baked goods sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Activities will be held on blocked-off Mill and Harrell streets, with activities for adults and children, from inflatable bounce houses to bungee jumping and rock climbing.

More than 50 vendors will have booths set up, selling items from food to jewelry.

“We tried not to have duplicates this year so there will be a wide variety,” Cook said. “We have every type of food — hot dogs, burgers, chicken fingers, shrimp kabobs.”

Stagecoach rides are available all weekend, and visitors can catch a ride at Market Square.

“The people who sponsor this are the people who are supporting [our] town,” Cook said. “Next year we’re hoping to make a couple of art alley scapes.

“We’re hosting Springfest for the festival and fun, but that’s what we do with the booth money — help pay for projects like the Plaza Theatre and the Christmas parade.”