Spring Street Fair will kick off on Saturday

Published 12:16 am Sunday, March 30, 2008

The Picayune Spring Street Fair, sponsored by Picayune Main Street, Inc., will be held from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday in downtown Picayune.

The street fair has been held bi-annually on the first full weekend of April and November since it began in 1997, said Picayune Main Street Manager Reba Beebe.

According to a press release from Picayune Main Street, since the fair began, “Our committee has worked to improve the excellence of our Fair. Working each and every season to improve the quality of our vendors and the uniqueness of crafters has benefited the Fair, resulting in impressive growth and an event for all to enjoy.”

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The fair runs from the intersection of East Canal Street and Steele Avenue to West Canal Street, just past The Glass Porch, and includes North and South Main Streets as well as various side streets. Beebe said the fair is extending down Rester Street and North Quince Street this year for the first time.

“There is a demand for us to extend out, because there’s just so much interest,” Beebe said.

More than 250 vendors will be on hand next weekend to sell their goods, including antiques, collectibles, arts, crafts, jewelry, unique T-shirts and various other items for people of all ages. There will be numerous food and beverage booths serving various types of cuisine, including Cajun, Greek, barbecue and seafood.

Other activities for the family include a train ride for $3 a person and bungee jumping for $5 a person on North Main Street, a rock wall climb for $5 a person on South Main Street and pony rides and fund jumps for $5 aperson located on East Canal Street near Robinson Electronics.

This is the first year for the bungee jump, Beebe said, and she is optimistic that it will be a big hit.

Beebe said in previous years, armbands have been available for purchase for some of the rides and fun jumps that allows riders to ride all day, and she hopes that practice will continue this year.

On Saturday, the Boulevard Cruisers will hold a car show for everyone’s enjoyment. Judging will be provided by Picayune Main Street, and prizes will be awarded at 2 p.m. that afternoon.

Also at 9 a.m. on Saturday, the Third Annual Tung Blossom 5 K Run/Walk and 1 Mile Fun Run, sponsored by the Gulf Coast Running Club, will be held by Jack Read Park. The race will start and end on the East Side of the park on Quince Street. The course will turn left on Fifth Avenue, right on Forrest Street, left on Third Avenue, left on Dale Street, right on Fifth Avenue, right on River Road, make a U-turn at the dead end of River Road, left on Fifth Avenue, and right back onto Quince Street.

There is a $10 registration fee for the run and/or fun walk, and applications are available on the running club’s website, www.gulfcoastrunningclub.org, as well as the Picayune Main Street website, www.picayunemainstreet.com. Registration on the day of the race will be between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Beebe said that while participants will be allowed to register on the day of the race, but that early registration before that day is encouraged.

In addition to the rides and the race, entertainment will be provided on a stage located on East Canal in front of Robinson’s Electric.

Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, performers will include Spinner Bait, the Piney Woods Cloggers at 11 a.m., The Rockin’ Robinsons at noon, Southern Vibe Cloggers at 1 p.m., Dusty Rainer at 1:30 p.m., Pistols and Petticoats at 2 p.m., Jennifer Farmer at 2:30 p.m., Todd Smith at 3 p.m. and Ryan Foulon at 4 p.m.

On Sunday, entertainment begins with The Rockin’ Robinsons at 12:30 p.m., followed by Oriental Martial Arts at 1 p.m., Centerstage School of Dance at 2 p.m., Pistols and Petticoats at 2:30 p.m., Caruso’s Academy of Performing Arts at 3 p.m., Eddie Young at 3:30 p.m. and Cornerstone at 4 p.m.

For more information about the Picayune Street Fair, contact Picayune Main Street at (601) 799-3070.