By Jason C. Mattox

People from Batesville and the surrounding areas are expected to swarm to the Downtown Square tonight for the beginning of the city’s annual SpringFest.

While kids and their parents are munching on everything from the Rotary Club’s barbecue to the famous funnel cakes of St. Mary’s Catholic church, the sounds of music and funseekers will fill the air.

Friday night, the crowd will be treated to musical performances from Batesville native Alison Heafner and Class Reunion, a group that features Calvin Flint on guitar.

Heafner will take the stage at 6:30 p.m.

The square will be bustling early the next morning when runners line up near City Hall to participate in the First Annual SpringFest 5K Run at 8 a.m.

Pre-registration is highly recommended.  Online registration is available at www.racesonline.com.  Race Day registration will only be available between 6:45 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.  

Saturday’s music line-up consists of River Road, Too Many Drivers, Rocket 88, Southern Country, Susanne Jerome Taylor and Pat Taylor, Nash Street, Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers, King Billy, and headliner Shenandoah.

??The weekend’s festivities will once again be emceed by WBLE’s Local Yokels Ricky Swindle and Johnny Pace.

For more information on SpringFest, including a full schedule of events, check out the SpringFest section inside today’s Panolian.