CABOT — The familiar scent of funnel cake will float through the air, and bright lights will bounce off carnival rides as downtown Cabot transforms into its annual fall festival.
The 39th annual Cabotfest community festival will take place Oct. 13 and 14 in Cabot’s downtown area near 110 S. First St.
Carnival rides will open at 6 p.m. Oct. 12, and the free festival will officially kick off at 5 p.m. Oct. 13.
The festival will run all day, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Oct. 14.
Amy Williams, executive director of the Cabot Chamber of Commerce, said the festival offers a way to bring people together and show off the city.
Over 100 vendors selling a wide range of items — from wax melts, sunglasses and clothing to accessories, crafts and makeup — will be set up at the event, she said.
Food vendors will serve up barbecue, corn dogs, duck bites, seafood, fried pickles and shaved ice, among other classic festival favorites.
Local performers will keep the crowd moving, starting with a Battle of the Bands contest at 6 p.m.
Oct. 13, followed by Tragikly White at 7:45 p.m. on the State Farm Insurance Stage.
According to a press release, live entertainment will commence Oct. 14 with the Keep the Faith Foundation’s 5K awards at 10:20 a.m., the Larry Weathers Band at 12:55 p.m., Cabotfest Pageant winners at 1:45 p.m., Luke Williams at 2 p.m., Luke Erwin at 2:45 p.m., the TJ Ashley Band at 3:45 p.m. and the Just Sayin’ Band at 5 p.m. on the State Farm Insurance Stage.
Cabot Public Schools performances will begin at 9 a.m. on the Wasteconnections Stage, followed by the Battle of the Bands winner at 2:15 p.m., Bree Ogden at 3 p.m., Sally Howell at 4 p.m. and Bailey Hefley at 5 p.m.
Activities for kids will be available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 14, featuring inflatables, face-painting, a rock wall, a trackless train, police and fire department presentations, obstacles and a bookmobile, she said.
Williams said the Cabot Animal Shelter will also be on-site with its mobile adoption unit from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“While we have about 25,000 people [in Cabot], we’re still small enough to interact on a hometown-feel basis,” she said.
“We house a lot of military families, as well as longtime residents who still choose to live here. We attract young families because of our schools and amenities, and we attract a lot of senior citizens and retirees who just want to live in a safe town that’s close to health care and medical facilities,” she said.
Volunteers dedicate a lot of time and hard work to the festival each year, she said, and come together to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Williams said her favorite thing about Cabotfest is seeing children and adults with smiles on their faces over the weekend.
“If the weather is right, everybody is happy, and it’s an enjoyable day for over 20,000 people,” Williams said.
Damon Bivins, chairman of the Planning Committee, said he has been involved with the festival for 10 years.
“It’s all for the community — a celebration of our community. That’s what Cabotfest is all about,” he said.
Bivins said the festival began as a celebration of Cabot pulling together after a tornado ripped through the area in 1976.
Every town has its festival gimmick, he said, and Cabot’s is cricket spitting, wherein a participant puts a dead cricket in their mouth, then spits it for the longest distance.
“It’s unique, and it seems like the community likes it,” he said, “and, hopefully, in the near future, we’ll see if we can beat the all-time record.”
Bivins said his favorite thing about the festival each year is seeing all of the people.
“I love seeing families and kids out. I know about 10,000 kids in Cabot, so it’s always good to see my kids out and enjoying our community,” he said.
Staff writer Kayla Baugh can be reached at (501) 244-4307 or kbaugh@arkansasonline.com.