Liberty plans second- annual

Spring Festival and Cruz-In

With spring finally upon us, the festival season will continue this Saturday with the city of Liberty’s second-annual Spring Festival and Cruz-In.

Coinciding with the festival, the city will kick off its Music in the Park series, and The Parenting Place’s 17th annual “Ride for the Child” will make its final stop in Liberty to present awards.

The “Ride for the Child” will begin with registration at Bi-Lo in Pickens from 9-11 a.m., followed by a scenic ride along Highway 11, ultimately ending at the festival. Pre-registration is available for $25 for the ride, and cost will be $30 on the day of the event. Those interested can register in advance by calling (864) 898-5583 or visiting www.theparentingplacepca.org.

The 17th annual bike run helps to raise money and bring attention to April as Prevent Child Abuse Month. The Parenting Plac /Prevent Child Abuse in Pickens County is a nonprofit organization serving children and families in the Upstate since 1991. The program provides intensive home visiting services for teen parents, first-time mothers, and pregnant women. Priority is given to high-risk parents with a history of abuse and neglect.

“We are so excited to be able to partner with The Parenting Place’s ‘Ride for the Child’ this year,” festival chair Tammy Clark said. “It will be a great addition to our event, bringing even more business to the city.”

The festival will kick off at 10 a.m., with a welcome ceremony featuring ROTC, military and bagpipes, as well as the national anthem performed by Jacklyn Trotter.

Arts, crafts, children’s activities and non-profit organizations will set up booths in the downtown area from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Meanwhile, food music and entertainment will be available beginning at the same time and running throughout the evening until 10 p.m.

Depot Street will host a cruise-in from noon-4 p.m., with all proceeds going to benefit the “Ride for the Child.”

Beginning at 3 p.m., “Ride for the Child” bikers will finish their trek in downtown Liberty, and an award ceremony will take place from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

The festival stage will host a variety of entertainment options, beginning with a set from contemporary Christian band Divine Mercy from 10:15-11 a.m. Musician Ricky Finley will take the stage from 11:15 a.m.-noon, followed by Kelley Norwine from 12:15-1 p.m.

A variety of local pageant and talent show winners will perform from 1:15-3:15 p.m., with Ms. Liberty Sydney Smith dancing with R.J. Little, Ms. Liberty Teen Morgan Reynolds playing the keyboard, Ms. Pendleton Latisha Coleman playing the violin, Ms. Pendleton Teen Susie Whitmire performing song and dance and Ms. Dacusville Teen Angel Garcia clogging, as well as Pickens County’s Got Talent winners performing, along with the Liberty Recreation Competition Cheerleading team.

Music will again take center stage from 4:30-5:15 p.m. before Liberty-based cover band Random Relix plays a wide variety of favorites, including classic rock, country, beach and dance music, from 5:30-6:45 p.m.

Sound Factory, another local band, will kick off Liberty’s Music in the Park Series with a three-hour set to close the festival, starting at 7 p.m.

The festival will also feature a dunking booth, which will run from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and will feature Liberty mayor Michael Sheriff, Kevin Parrish of the Liberty Rec Department, State Rep. Davey Hiott, Chastain Road Elementary principal Elliot Southard, Brian Dismukes of the Liberty High School athletic booster club, Liberty Middle School principal Donivan Edwards, Tony’s Pizza manager Jimmy Robbins and Liberty Middle School student Darius Hunter.

Organizers are expecting a large turnout for the festival, especially after the success of other recent festivals.

“Our fall festival in October was very successful, with 85-plus vendors and over 2000 in attendance,” Sheriff said. “We anticipate our partnership with The Parenting Place this spring to increase the attendance of the Spring Festival and Cruz-In.”

Sponsors and vendors are still being accepted for the festival, and more information can be found at www.libertyscevents.com.