By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — While children popped bubbles, families enjoyed carriage rides and friends listened to the Salisbury Swing Band, hundreds kicked off spring at the Hurley Park Spring Celebration on Sunday.

The community event officially opens Hurley Park, at 304 Annandale Ave., for the year.

The celebration is in its 31st year, and some have been attending since its inception. Bethany Sinnott is an example. She said Hurley Park has gone through a marvelous transformation. Sinnott recalls a year when there was a puppet show. Every year, she likes to return to the Woodland Garden, which features different flowers and plants.

Angela Ziegler had been to the park previously for a wedding, but on Sunday she returned with her husband and her two young kids. Her 2-year-old played with other kids popping bubbles.

It was a family affair for the Sides family, who have come to the Hurley Park Spring Celebration for several years. As her two daughters enjoyed the bubble circus, Kim Sides said she likes that the celebration is an excuse to be outside and enjoy fellowship. She also enjoyed listening to the Salisbury Swing Band perform.

Friends Myrna Crocker and Carol Waters brought lawn chairs to listen to the band. It was their second time attending the celebration. Crocker said she likes to see the flowers in the part. Waters said the celebration is a start to spring and an opportunity to be outside after being cooped up all winter.

Families took photos with the flowers throughout the park. One part of the park has 2,000 bulbs of daffodils that are in full bloom.

“I just love to see people come out here and enjoy this beautiful park,” said Jane Ritchie, of the Hurley Park Advisory Board. “Everyone is having fun. People are so appreciative.”

The board spends months planning the spring celebration. Ritchie has attended since it has started. Ritchie said organizers have been lucky with the weather. Over the years, it’s been rained out only once. A couple of drops fell during the two-hour celebration Sunday. Otherwise, it stayed dry.

Exhibitors at the park included Bubble Circus, Rowan Redbuds Garden Club, Rowan Rose Society, Cooperative Extension, Salisbury Fire Department, Horizons Unlimited, N.C. Wildlife Commission, N.C. Forestry, Carolina Artists and Extension Master Gardeners.

For more information about the park, visit salisburync.gov/Government/Parks-and-Recreation/Parks/Hurley-Park.