LITTLE ROCK — Cabotfest started as a way to bring the community back together.
"After the tornado hit [in 1976], that next fall is when Cabotfest was established," said Kyle Proctor, who works for Community Bank and is one of the volunteers with this year's event. "They wanted to show that the tornado wasn't going to stunt their spirit, that the community could come back together. That's the basis for why Cabotfest is Cabotfest."
The first Cabotfest was "just a couple of people with some tables, but it has grown each year," Proctor said.
Now, Proctor said, Cabotfest, a free event, is expecting a crowd of 12,000 people after more than 10,000 came out last year. The location remains the same, downtown Cabot with more than four city blocks roped off.
"We'll have more than 150 vendors selling everything," Proctor said. "We'll have two stages, one for live music. Plus the carnival, the rock climbing wall, the Segway course; it is a very family-oriented event."
Cabotfest starts on Friday with armband night. An armband can be purchased for $12 in advance from the Cabot Chamber of Commerce and be used for unlimited rides from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on that Friday. Armbands can also be purchased that day for $15.
On Saturday, Cabotfest starts at 9 a.m. and will go to 6 p.m. for the vendors, and the poptinged country and western music will start a little after 6 and go until 9 p.m.
"I think that the music is going to be a big draw," Proctor said. "We've got Hwy. 5 and Riverbilly and they are both popular bands and then Jody Evans headlining and he'll go on at 8, and the live music is free." - jpeppas@ arkansasonline.com
Three Rivers, Pages 114 on 10/07/2007