SpringFest, Columbus’ new signature music and arts festival, returns to Broadway on SaturdayApril 25 for its second year, kicking off another season of the Broadway Concert Series.

Carrie Standridge says that this year’s SpringFest offers even more fun for families with small children. “The activities in the Family Fun Zone will include liv- ing history with Port Columbus, robot demonstrations from First! Lego League of Columbus, live animal demonstrations by Wild Animal Safari, game competitions with Play N Trade, a bounce house from Monkey Joes and Toucan time with Zoo City USA to name just a few.”

Student music groups will perform on the main stage in the 1100 block from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., offering an entertaining lunch break for the working folk of Uptown.

Homegrown musical talent representing a vast array of musical genres will again entertain every member of the family. “This year, the Columbus Chapter of the Nashville Songwriter’s Association and Music in Columbus teamed up to provide a showcase of local and regional performers with a wide range of styles,” Standridge said.

SpringFest 2009 promises to be bigger and better than last year. “This year the lineup celebrates a broader variety of performing ar ts than last year,” Standridge explained. The Chattahoochee Shakespeare Company will perform a segment from their new children’s show Goobers, featuring local folk tales and original music. The Performance Dance Center of Columbus will perform and Mick Stone will present impromptu magic tricks amongst the crowd throughout the day.

“Student choirs from Loyd, Johnson and Lonnie Jackson Elementary Schools will perform,” Standridge added. “The kids are already getting excited about their performances.”

Georgian arts and crafts exhibitors wil l again display their talents as SpringFest kicks off the Market Days program in support of the Georgia Made Georgia Grown initiative. Artist Deborah Morgan will once again lend her whimsical full-face paintings to the festival, and car lovers will have another opportunity to get free photos taken with PTAP’s exotic autos.

Like last year, admission to the festival will be free and free parking will be available at CB&T’s parking garage on First Avenue, the Front Avenue entrance of the RiverCenter garage, and the Bay Avenue entrance of the Synovus garage.

For more information, call Carrie Standbridge at 706.322.1613, visit the website at broadwayspringfest.com or just put the family in the car and make your way to Uptown for a day sure to be filled with family fun.

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