Springfest draws hundreds of attendees to Stevensville

When Stevensville Springfest started in 2004, organizers found out that several factors affect its success, including weather and other events taking place the same day in the community.

In its inaugural edition, it was held in early May on Mother’s Day weekend.

Torrential rain and hail poured down during a spaghetti eating contest and the rest of the day was washed out.

The next year, it was held in late May, but low turnout was attributed to a conflict with many residents attending a Peacock School of Dance recital that weekend.

Since 2006, the event, hosted by the Stevensville Kinsmen and Kinettes, with help from the Stevensville Volunteer Firefighters Association, has been held the first Saturday of June.

About 600 people were expected to have attended by the end of Saturday at the memorial hall on Stevensville Road, said Mary Jane Brunning, co-chair of the event and a longstanding member of the local service club.

There were 34 vendors outside and another 17 inside the hall, which included “incredible artisans,” as well as food trucks, live music, inflatables for kids, a dunk tank, and much more.

One of the vendor booths consisted of three young ladies selling bracelets and other pieces of jewelry they have been making together and selling occasionally at the end of local driveways.

But Saturday was a big day for them, having a large pool of customers to target at the event.

“You get to socialize with people and make more sales,” said Hazel Hookings, sitting with her business partners Ella Grummett and Willow Monteith.

Ryan Brunning from the firefighters association said their group is always “glad to help” with the popular event, bringing in firefighting equipment and serving burgers and hot dogs.

“It’s a great weather day and there’s lots of people,” he said.

Reverend Bill Thomas from St. John’s Stevensville United Church took a a plunge in the dunk tank, and said he “loved it,” moments after being soaked by a young festival goer who hit the target with a ball on his first try.

“I’ve been coming here for a lot of years, but this is my first time in the dunk tank,” he said.

The day started at 8 a.m. with an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast at The Village Church before the festivities moved south to the memorial hall.

All proceeds from the event will be invested in community projects in the Stevensville area, according to organizers.

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