Old Spanish Trail Festival offers full day of activities

It may have had a few bumps along the way this year, but the 52nd annual Old Spanish Trail Festival got a jolt of energy and is almost upon us.

With new events and predominantly local entertainment, the festival is a day full of fun for the entire family.

Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday. There’s a non-stop schedule of competitions, live music, midway games and of course, all that lip-smacking food.

Returning after many years of absence is the Old Jug Jail. If you’re caught without your festival armband, you’re off to the clink.

“Insurance” armbands are available for $2, with proceeds benefiting next year’s festival. (Otherwise, a friend or relation will have to cough up $5 to bail you out.)

Two eagerly anticipated new events this year include the Redneck Invention Convention and the Fill-Ups Food Stores Old Spanish Trail 250 lawnmower race.

The Redneck Invention Convention will award trophies for Best Engineered, Most reliable and Wacky Craziest Most Worthless redneck inventions.

The overall winner will be proclaimed the Redneck Invention Engineer and will receive a Redneck Einstein da Vinci Award, which includes a handsome plaque and a $100 cash price.

Favorite events include the Diaper Derby and Toddler Trot, and the Old Spanish Trail Festival Parade beginning at 2 p.m. behind the library and heading down Industrial Drive.

OLD SPANISH TRAIL FESTIVAL
Saturday, 10 a.m.–10:30 p.m.

Admission: $3 for adults; $1 for students. ($2 insurance band to stay out of OSTF Jail)

Old Spanish Trail Park, Crestview

For complete information and downloadable competition entry forms, visit www.woolcom.net/ostf.

For more info or to enter the parade or lawn mower race, call organizers Mac (850) 826-1234, Grace or Angela (850) 682-0031, or Cindy (850) 758-0298.

EVENTS LINE-UP

Performances are in italics

10 a.m. • Welcome

11:30 a.m. • Karaoke Contest Noon to 2 p.m. • Redneck Horseshoe Tourney

1:15 p.m.• Gordon Martial Arts demonstration

1:45 p.m. • Deandre & Fushun

2 p.m. • The Grand Parade on Industrial Blvd.

2 p.m. • Small Bus Mafia

3 p.m. • Ashley Richards

3:30 p.m.• Diaper Derby and Toddler Trot

3:45 p.m. • Jamie McMahon

4 p.m. • Karaoke Contest Winners Perform

5 p.m. • Fill-Ups Food Stores Old Spanish Trail 250 Lawn Mower Race

5 p.m. • Leather & Lace

6 p.m. • Awards/ Recognition

6:45 p.m. • Robot Mania Blues Band

7:45 p.m. • Cher Lynn Bragg 8:45 p.m. • Jim Hubbard & The River Chase Band
All times are approximate