By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
CLEVELAND ó Town Commissioner Mary Frank “Frankie” Fleming-Adkins said she can still remember the first time she suggested holding a Cleveland Spring Festival.
“People said, ‘Well, who is going to come to Cleveland?'” she recalled. “There’s not but 830 of us, and we’re about as far west as you can get and stay in Rowan County.
“The biggest thing we’ve done so far up until this festival was the parade.”
Between 2,000 and 3,000 people turned out for the first Spring Festival in 2004. The turnout increased to almost 5,000 last year, she said.
Fleming-Adkins said she’s hoping the weather will be nice for Saturday’s sixth annual Cleveland Spring Festival, which will begin at 10 a.m. and end with a 9:15 p.m. fireworks display.
“I think it will be just fine,” she said. “We might get a sprinkle or two, but that’s just part of the festival. The fireworks will go on unless it’s just a complete downpour at 9:15.”
The number of vendors has grown to almost 40, which include local school and church fundraisers.
For example, Cleveland Commissioner Pat Phifer will be in a dunking booth for West Rowan High School. “So come on out and dunk him,” Fleming-Adkins said.
“And there’s food, food, food, you name it,” she said. “We’ve got ice cream, strawberries. Anybody who wants to buy fresh strawberries and take them home for Sunday lunch, we’ve got them.”
The selection of rides has increased as well and includes a flexfly. “That’s a trampoline that you can fly on with the safety of a safety belt,” she said.
Fleming-Adkins said the fireworks display Saturday night will have a patriotic theme, with accompanying music provided by DJ Jim Campbell.
Games and rides, crafts and food vendors will be available from noon to 9 p.m. Entertainment will be held throughout the day.
The schedule of events is as follows:
– Noon-1 p.m. ó Rowan County police dog demonstration, DJ stand;
– 1-2 ó Salem Spirit church band will perform in amphitheater;
– 2-2:20 ó National Anthem with West Rowan High School ROTC Honor Guard, amphitheater;
– 2:20-3 ó Gospel singer Jody Watson of Concord will perform in amphitheater;
– 3-4:30 ó West Rowan High School Jazz Band and Percussion, amphitheater;
– 5-6 ó Crescent Cloggers will perform with special appearance by Granny Cloggers, amphitheater;
– 5:30-6:30 ó Hot Air Balloon Launch (weather permitting) on the ball field, balloons presented by Carolinas Balloon Association;
– 7-8 ó Jody Watson performs again in amphitheater;
– 8:30-9 ó Hot Air Balloon Glow (weather permitting);
– 9:15 ó Fireworks display, will be visible from anywhere in the park.
For more information, call Cleveland Town Hall at 704-278-4777 or Frankie Fleming-Adkins at 704-278-2286 or 704-873-5875.
Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-7683.