Storms not a damper on festival's success

VILONIA Vilonia Fest was a success, organizers said, even though high winds and heavy rains demolished some tents and merchandise during the three-day event.

"All things considered, we fared well," said Karen Lambert, a member of the Lions Club, sponsors of the event along with the Vilonia Area Chamber of Commerce. "Saturday was great. The weather interfered, but it was successful. Of course, we feel bad for some of the vendors but considering the bad weather, we had a successful turnout."

Around 2 p.m. Friday, a storm hit Vilonia sending vendors and attendees for cover. The doors to the gymnasium were opened and some vendors rode the storm out there, said Laura McNeel, executive officer for the Vilonia Area Chamber of Commerce.

About 70 vendors, she said, were set up in the parking lot at Vilonia High School when they were notified the severe thunderstorm was a probability.

And, within 20 to 30 minutes, the storm resulted in high winds, falling trees as well as power outages throughout the area.

"The cloud came rolling in from the Conway area," described Sandy Towles, who was setting up a booth for the Vilonia Academy of Service and Technology selling cookbooks. "The sirens went off, and I jumped in my truck and took off for cover."

One "Spin Art," vendor, Bobby Thompson of Vilonia, rode out the storm inside his vehicle.

"There was four or five drops of rain and the wind hit," he said. "Pop-up tents started blowing across the parking lot. Two tents ended up on mine, and that's probably what saved it."

Following the storm, Thompson as well as a handful of other vendors, were wiping down tables and cleaning up around their booths preparing for business as usual.

"There were a few tents destroyed and some vendors lost some merchandise," McNeel said, as she walked around the area taking inventory. "But, there is a handful of vendors back out tonight."

One of those vendors that lost merchandise Friday was Wallace Enterprises of Conway, who sells sports memorabilia as well as purses, watches, hats and caps. Officials with the booth said they were still packing up and loading when the storm hit. They lost two tents and estimated losses of wares at about $10,000 including hats, watches, sports memorabilia and die cast cars. One employee said the wind carried off one tote of purses valued at about $1,200. While the booth was dismantled Friday night, the employees said it would be set up and going again by Saturday morning.

By 5:30, plans were being "remade" to continue with a gospel music concert that had been set for 6 p.m. Shortly after 7 p.m., the Exit 7 Band was on stage performing for an audience. The carnival rides were whirling, and food was being sold at the food booths.

In the wee hours of Saturday morning, a second storm rolled into the area causing additional problems. Yet, by 10 a.m., the lot was once again full of booths, including a scaled down Wallace Enterprises booth.

The storm, McNeel shared, resulted in half the roof being blown off her barn while she was working at the Fest Friday.

"The hay got wet and we have no power at my house but no one got hurt," she said. "All is well. Tomorrow will be better."

On Saturday, Mother Nature gave the festival a reprieve for the day. A variety of acts were on stage throughout the day and the traffic was steady. More than 150 attended Eagle Idol, and the fireworks display went off without a hitch, according to Lambert.

"It was one good day," she said.

Also, Lambert said, a date has already been set for next year the first weekend in June.