By David Freeze
For the Salisbury Post
Town Commissioner Mary Frank Fleming-Adkins was ecstatic with the turnout for the Cleveland Spring Festival on Saturday.
“Once a year, this is what we do for our community,” she said. “Eight years ago, we started with 10 to 15 vendors and exhibitors, and this year we have 62. It is a great day for Cleveland.”
Games and rides, along with craft and food vendors filled the park area.
Highlighting the festival at the Town Park was the 1978 Mack Baker Aerialscope 75 ladder truck that now is in service with the Cleveland Fire Department.
Capt. Ron Herion recounted the service history of the truck.
“It served in the New York City Fire Department, until purchased by the Westbury, N.Y., Fire Department. On Sept. 11, 2001, the truck was in reserve at Ground Zero as two emblems on the door signify,” Herion said.
“We have had the truck here for about six months, and we need it for multi-story work. It is great for rescues or fire situations. The truck is used for mutual aid to other parts of the county also. It had already been reconditioned, but we did some wiring and lettering,” he said.
A large American flag was displayed from the front of the truck.
Bishop Kevin Bost was cooking chicken and other food as he expressed his love for his fellow man, and his reasons for giving food to the community. At least once a month, Bost offers food to anyone who stops by his World of Faith Outreach Ministry on Cottage Street in Salisbury.
Bost has been giving food away for 30 years.
“If nobody comes, me and the church family will eat. The congregation serves the meal on the fourth Sunday evening of every month. I just want to make sure the get some good food,” he said.
World of Faith workers Sue Cherry and Sharon Matthews said, “Bost is there when you need him. He will give the coat off his back in a rainstorm. He loves to help anybody.”
Families were out to enjoy the nice spring weather as well as the vendors and entertainment.
Erin Shelton brought her children Lucy and Trip, as well as her mother Pam Morrow. They stopped in after participating in the Cowden 5K race earlier in the morning.
Lucy, 3, was looking for a face painter and mom, Erin, said they wanted to ride the swings, but she admitted they might eat some unhealthy food before the afternoon was over. Shelton is a counselor at West Rowan High School.
“This is great. There is so much to do,” Shelton said.
Live entertainment was planned throughout the afternoon, and fireworks were on tap to close out the evening.
Leslee Efird brought her son, Clint, to the festival. Clint, 4, was excited to ride the swings, after participating in his first 5K that morning. Efird is the girls’ cross country and track coach at Carson High School.
A rock-climbing wall, a long slide, and a dunking booth entertained many attendees. Another highlight was the FlexFlyer, a supported trampoline style jump that allowed participants to jump to heights of 40 feet while harnessed.
“There aren’t a lot of big activities in West Rowan, but we all look forward to the Spring Festival,” Fleming-Adkins said. “Just look at the turnout. I get excited about this, and we just want everyone to know that Cleveland has a lot to offer.”