Vilonia Fest offers fun times for all

VILONIA Vilonia Fest, a three-day event, is bigger and better than ever a place where kids both young and old can play, according to organizers.

About 70 booths lined the parking lot at Vilonia High School with wares including custom embroidery, quilts, candles, spin art, NASCAR items, purses, wallets, handmade jewelry, hats and caps.

"We've got a lot full this year. There's more of everything. We have more crafts. We picked up stuff from a rained out Toad Suck. We have a lot more rides. There're rides for the little ones and the big ones," said Billy Mitchell of the Vilonia Lions Club, a sponsor of the event. "We have a lot of entertainment and food, and we tried to not overlap anything."

Most vendors tables, Thursday evening, appeared to be spilling over with merchandise. Linda Whitlow of Stitched in Romance is among the vendors that were rained out at Toad Suck. Her inventory, she said, is sizeable due to the mishap.

"This is my first time in Vilonia, and this will be my last show until fall," she said. "Everything I have is on sale for this. I had a lot for Toad Suck, and I need to turn some things over."

Food booths are also plentiful with many items including snow cones, chocolate covered bananas, brisket sandwiches, chicken on a stick and barbecue.

There are also games for all ages and pony rides for the smaller ones.

A three-day event beginning Thursday and going through Saturday night, there is no admission fee.

"You meet people. I guarantee, if you are from here, you will see some of your old friends," Mitchell said. "You will have fun if you just come out and talk and listen to the music."

The event will be open all day today with gospel music held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Star Amusements of Beebe is providing the carnival rides, which will begin running at 5 p.m. until closing tonight and from 10 a.m. until closing Saturday. The cost of the rides, according to carnival owner Mokey Choate Jr., is $2 for the small rides and $3 for the larger rides.

"I brought a lot more rides this year than last," Choate said. "Last year, the things I brought were smaller."

On Saturday, there will be also be a variety of acts on stage throughout the day. A highlight of the Fest, organizers said, will be Vilonia Idol, which is to be held in the high school cafeteria from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with about 20 singers showcasing their voices.

"It's a full day Saturday," Mitchell said.

The festival has been ongoing for about 10 years, Mitchell said. He remembers when it began with two tables in the parking lot at a Vilonia shopping center. He also recalled the year that Carrie Underwood appeared at the event.

"That was before she was a big deal," Mitchell added. "We never dreamed then she would be such a big star."

Plans are already being made for next year, according to Mitchell. Organizers, he said, would like to add bluegrass music for Thursday night.

"We are going to just keep growing," Mitchell concluded.

A change this year, the annual fireworks display has been moved from tonight to Saturday night following the Idol contest.