By John Howell
Springfest street closings will be expanded this year to include Broadway at Short Street and Court Street at Central Street.

Batesville aldermen during their May 5 meeting approved the recommendation of Main Street Manager Colleen Clark to reduce crowding in the Public Square. Starting late Friday afternoon and continuing all day Saturday, the street closings will prevent vehicle access to the Public Square from College, Boothe, Broadway and Court Streets.

Batesville’s annual spring festival will be featured in a special section in Friday’s edition and includes an array of talented musicians, food, the Races for Paws 5K benefit for the Panola County Humane Society, the Young Professionals of Panola’s (YPP) Youth Talent Contest.
The music starts at 6 p.m. Friday night with Harmony followed by the Mustache Band. Class Act, a group of local musicians whose roots trace back to the Willie Moon Band of the 1970s, will close Friday night.

Racing for Paws 5K opens Saturday’s activities at 8 a.m. Following the YPP Talent Show at 10:30, the Eric Deaton Trio will open the day of music that will well into the night.

Acts to follow include Lynn Drury, The Litigants, Amy Nicole and the Zydeco Soul, Stone Gas Blues Band, George McConnell and the Nonchalants and David Fanning.

Headliner Diamond Rio will close Saturday night’s music.

Added attractions for kids this year include an inflated bouncy house, obstacle course and slide, all of which are free, Batesville Main Street Manager Colleen Clark said.

A rock wall will challenge youngsters’ climbing skills and a mechanical bull will challenge balance and tenacity. They will be located in the zip lanes, near the Exchange Club War Memorial.

On the uphill side of the Square, the annual Springfest Carnival will return offering rides with challenge levels from least to greatest for kids of all ages.

Carnival rides will now extend across Court Street onto Broadway to ease congestion.