Greenwood's first-ever River to the Rails Festival is just two weeks away, and organizers say the event will have something for everyone.
River to the Rails, sponsored by Main Street Greenwood, will be held downtown along Howard Street on Saturday, May 14.
Events for the day will include a petting zoo and hula hoop contest in the morning and a street dance and beer garden in the evening.
This will be a day of fun, games and shopping for the entire family, said Cindy Tyler, co-chairman of the River to the Rails Festival. "And it's free."
The morning will kick off with a Paws Parade at 9 a.m., sponsored by the Humane Society. Aubrey Whittington is chairman of the parade, said Tyler.
Kids can also enjoy a Rubber Ducky Race sponsored by Ducks Unlimited, she said.
"We have Girl Scouts, Boys Scouts, the Crown Club, Junior Auxiliary and the chamber Ambassadors all helping us that day," Tyler said.
The children's area will be located along the block of Washington Street between Howard and Fulton.
"There will be a petting zoo that will have about 30 animals," Tyler said.
The zoo's owners will provide apples and corn for the children to feed the animals, she said. "They even have their own corn grinder so the children can see how that's done."
The children's area will also have a Thomas the Train ride and a balloon and origami artist. There also will be a hoola hoop contest.
Karen Lott will be doing a story time for kids at three different times during the day.
Angie Crick will also be doing some type of art, and there will be face painting and games with prizes.
The Girl Scouts and the Crown Club will be selling cotton candy and snow cones at River to the Rails.
And the Boy Scouts will man a dunking booth. Tyler said the committee is still looking for volunteers willing to be dunked.
The children's area will be open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
A farmer's market will give area farmers and gardeners a chance to sell some of their crops, Tyler said. Jennifer Jones is chairman of the farmer's market that will be held in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church.
Linda Whittington of Communities in Schools will be having an artist and pottery demonstration throughout the day, and Cannon and Kirk Brothers will have some of their cars along the street.
Howard Street will have stages at both ends - one where Howard connects with Market Street and another just before you get to the railroad tracks, Tyler said.
Bands are set to begin playing at noon and will alternate on each stage.
Curb Service will play at a street dance that will start at 8:30 p.m. Andy Hackleman is entertainment chairman.
In the parking lot by the Blue Parrot, there will be a stage with local performers, Tyler said. These will include groups like the Bankston Pizzazz and the Community Band.
Some of Greenwood's finest restaurants will be serving up a little local flavor in the "Best of Greenwood" food court, Tyler said.
There will be crawfish and catfish vendors on hand, as well.
Beginning at 5 p.m., a beer garden will open. The sponsor for the beer garden is Budweiser.
Tyler said the committee is thankful for the sponsors who've come on board to make River to the Rails possible.
"BalloonFest did a big sponsorship of the event," Tyler said.
But she noted that the River to the Rails Festival was already in the works before it was announced that BalloonFest was not going to be held this year.
Since Art Alfresco has been so popular, she said, the merchants wanted to continue to do something with the arts and add other activities to involve the entire community.
Tyler said she hopes the event will be a great success and will show off what Greenwood has to offer.
And the downtown merchants hope to make it bigger and better next year, Tyler said.
Sponsors for River to the Rails include BalloonFest, Trustmark National Bank, State Bank & Trust Co., Greenwood Convention and Visitor's Bureau, BellSouth, AmSouth Bank, Planters Bank, Bank of Commerce, Cannon Motor Co., Staplcotn, Hammons and Associates, Delta Distributing, Ducks Unlimited, Viking Range Corp.,The Alluvian, Union Planters Bank and Lawrence Printing.
