By Rita Howell

Batesville’s Downtown Square will be bustling Saturday when the second annual Show Off on the Square brings to town participants and admirers in an open car show for all makes and models.

The event is being organized by the City of Batesville and the Batesville Main Street program.
Lending support are members of the Delta Street Rods and the Junior Auxiliary of Batesville, among others.

The event starts at 8 a.m. and in addition to the car show, there will be activities for children, sponsored by the JA, an arts and crafts section, food and live entertainment.

The event is part of the city’s and Main Street’s effort to promote the historic downtown area by sponsoring events to help retailers and entertain potential shoppers. The area has recently had an uptick of activity with either new businesses locating there, existing business moving there and or new buildings being constructed nearby.

Smith Cleaners owners John and Amy Thomas have constructed a new coin-operated laundry on the corner of Van Voris and  Thomas at the former First Security Bank location and plan to open in conjunction with this weekend’s event.

Additional health care-related facilities and buildings have also been recently added just off the Downtown Square between Eureka and Court Street in the Batesville Clinic area where Sta-Home, a home care provider, and most recently Southern Hospice have erected buildings adding new real estate to the town’s historic district.

To get things started Saturday, the Batesville Exchange Club will sponsor a pancake breakfast at the Batesville Intermediate School cafeteria from 7-10 a.m. Tickets are $4 and are available at The Panolian or from any Exchange Club member.

Proceeds will go to the club’s main area of interest, prevention of child abuse.

For more information about the Show Off on the Square, call 888-872-6652.