What’s on tap at Festival in the Park? Schedule

from staff reports
Published: May 7, 2008

What’s on tap at Festival in the Park?
Weekend highlights
Friday
Pigs in the Park
Fifty-four teams will fight for the title of best barbecue in this eighth annual contest, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society. $22,000 in prize money will be available for winners. The event continues Saturday.

Youth Art Gala
Students from throughout the area will show their work at this show, which features a variety of art forms ranging from sculpture to photography. Hours will be 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday

Children’s Area
In addition to a collection of children’s rides and games, the children’s area will feature special shows, exhibitors, arts and craft activities, face painting and more.

On stage
Southside Superstar Auditions run from 4 to 8 p.m.

Saturday
Nestle 5K Run/Walk/Wheelchair
Kicking off at 9 a.m., this 18th annual event will feature 250 runners, walkers and wheelchair entrants. The 3.1 mile course starts at Ballou Park, heads down West Main Street through Millionaires Row and loops around the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History before returning to Ballou Park. Proceeds will benefit Special Olympics.

Health Fair
Blood pressure checks, sight and hearing screens, first aid tips and fitness information will be offered as part of this event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

River City Cheesecake Challenge
In place of the chili cookoff this year will be the River City Cheesecake Challenge, giving local pastry chefs a chance to show off their cheesecake prowess.

Cooking demonstrations
Southern Living BBQ On Tour will offer cooking demonstrations at 2 p.m.

On stage
A variety of musical entertainment will be offered, including Danville Public Schools instrumental groups at 10 a.m., the Tunstall Middle School shag dancers at noon, the Schoolfield Academy Chorus at 12:30 p.m., the Kuumba African Dance Company at 12:30 p.m., the WAKG/WBTM Rising Stars winners at 2:30 p.m. and Ricochet at 4 p.m.

Confederate Railroad
This country band is a local favorite, performing regularly throughout the area. The edgy, country-fried Southern rockers will take the stage at 6 p.m.

Sunday
On stage
A variety of music will be offered Sunday, including Little Stuey & the Strangers at 1 p.m., 58 West at 1:30 p.m., Backstreet at 2:45 p.m., Shaggie Maggie at 4 p.m., Sammy Terry & the Spiritual Highlights at 5 p.m. and Doc McKenzie & the Hi-Lites at 5:30 p.m. 

Cooking demonstrations
Southern Living BBQ On Tour will offer cooking demonstrations at 1:30 p.m.

For more information on Festival in the Park, which also includes an arts and craft fair and a variety of food vendors, call (434) 793-4636.