StreetFest a success despite early rains

Oct. 17—As the rain moved out of the area Saturday and music echoed through the streets, the crowd began to get larger at the annual Downtown Sanford StreetFest & Fireworks.

"Waking up to rain on a festival day is always heartbreaking," Downtown Sanford, Inc. Executive Director Kelli Laudate said. "But our team jumped right into place at 6:30 a.m. Saturday morning to begin setting up for the festival with road closures and stage setup. Then we began rolling in vendors at 9 a.m. Boy, were we all soaked!"

Laudate said she was grateful for all of the volunteers, vendors, food trucks and bands that helped make everything possible.

"We had the most amazing volunteers this year, Trina and Matt Garrison, DSI Board members Joni Martin, Pam Gordon and Travis Beal, along with Susan Britt and a slew of amazing LCS students from LCHS, SLHS and Lee Early College to pitch in and get the vendors in place and unloaded," she said. "Next, we rolled in over 15 food trucks. Around 2 p.m., Tom and Renee Snell began to greet the bands and manage the green room throughout the day."

On the Main Stage, the band Workin' on Commission kicked things off and were followed by the Megan Doss Band. Cat 5 was on stage until the fireworks began after 8:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Street Stage, located at the corner of Wicker and Steele streets, had a variety of local entertainment from the Triple Pointe Dance Academy, Temple Teen Ensemble, Danza Azteca Olin, Black Belt Leadership Academy, Prime Time Dance Company, the LCHS Show Choir and the Dancers Workshop.

Throughout the downtown streets, nearly 20 food trucks kept visitors' bellies full, and the aroma of food cooking permeated the air. Downtown restaurants also benefitted, as many went inside for food and drinks as well.

Mayor Rebacca Wyhof Salmon helped kick off the festival at the Latino Festival on Carthage Street between Steele Street and South Horner Boulevard. Salmon's words were also translated into Spanish for the attendees.

"This festival continues to get bigger and better each year," she said. "I hope that you all have a great time this afternoon. Enjoy the music, the food and the shopping opportunities."

After Salmon's greetings, the Mariachi Monarchas entertained the crowd along Carthage Street.

Though the weather may have deterred some attendees, Laudate was pleased with the crowd.

"I do not think we had as many people as last year, but there was a steady stream of traffic all day," she said. "The Latino Fest was a huge hit, and the new Fun Zone area was bustling all day thanks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Carolina and Lee County Parks & Rec."

Laudate said the goal of the festival is to "bring residents and visitors alike to downtown Sanford to experience who we are ... and we are a community that loves to gather around music, art, food, artisans, culture and fun ... and I sure think we are well on our way to showing we know how to do all those things," she said. "Our committee believes this — especially Fahren Cotten, Kelly Miller, Yanira Scott and Wendy Bryan — give us a little time to dream and we will keep coming up with ways to plan and grow the fun."

Laudate also heaped praise on city employees and departments that helped make the day possible.

"It takes a lot of people to make a festival happen and we have the best team around," she said. "From the Public Works department, the police department, fire department, Bill Freeman and Dan Fowler taking care of all sound production needs at two performance areas, to social media posting all day to keep the crowds coming (thank you, Kelly Miller), to the volunteers that Wendy Bryan was able to coordinate at the Visit Sanford Welcome Center — Donna Parrish, Carol Davis, Trina Garrison, Sharon Spence, Marley Spence, Beth Bray and to the vendors and food trucks — thank you for coming out in the rain to believe it would clear and we would have a great day with loads of families coming to partake in the many layers of the day."

Laudate also made one closing note as she spoke about Saturday's event.

"Mark your calendar for Oct. 12, 2024," she concluded. "We will have a 150th anniversary twist to next year's festival."