Spring Fling expands

Published 10:52 am Thursday, May 11, 2006

By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
NILES - The Optimist Spring Fling just keeps growing.
The annual event, which used to be known as the Optimist Youth Festival, will still display the finest youth talent in the area. But, this year's celebration will be the most extravagant yet.
The most noticeable change to the festival that is set to explode this weekend is the addition of the carnival rides that pulled into town with Family Fun Time Amusements. Crews of workers began setting up the rides and games early in the week at the festival grounds at Riverfront Park.
Parents and kids alike can take to a variety of rides including a merry-go-round, the Fun Slide and the Heart Flip. Plus, all the tasty carnival food like elephant ears, cotton candy, carmel and candy apples and taffy will be on-site as well.
But, the bandstand in Riverfront Park will still belong to the area's youth, Croteau added. Scheduled to showcase their talents are, among many others, the Ferry Street Steppers dance group, singer and songwriter Taylor Clark, the Brandywine High School Rock Band, Matt Ammerman as Little Elvis and the Niles Area Christian Home Schoolers.
The weekend will also feature the Isaac and Dora Davis Family Reunion Inc. 5K Run and Walk, a Tai Chi demonstration, the Four Flags Garden Club Sale and multiple rock bands, including Dry Flood, C.I.A Band and the Black Velvet Rock Group.
The three-day event is loaded with family opportunities, such as a chance for mothers to see their young ones perform live in front of the entire community.
The 2006 Optimist Spring Fling kicks-off Friday at 5 p.m. with the rock band Mark Flicks and Some Dudes.