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By DONALD MOTTERN | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – Crowds of people kicked off their weekend with a day of community fun and full stomachs on Saturday, April 27 during the third annual Spring Fling Family Food Truck Fest in Montevallo.

People gathered from across the county for the event, which saw food trucks, event spaces and sponsor stalls lined up along Island Street near Orr Park. While there, people were able to enjoy the six-hour-long festival that sought to highlight the many flavors that the local food truck scene has to offer.

“Celebrating arts and culture and bringing people together to enjoy food and fellowship with this event is something we look forward to every year,” said Courtney Bennett, executive director of Montevallo Main Street.

With social media posts encouraging attendees to arrive hungry, the event sprang into action at noon and saw guests descend on the area to grab lunch, or an early dinner, while they had the opportunity to experience the varied collection of options.

The event, which was free to enter and designed to provide a family friendly day of entertainment, also featured a full lineup of activities and events that proved successful in drawing attention from the guests.

That list of activities included inflatable bounce houses, an obstacle course, interactive art murals and face painting stations. Guests were also entertained with music, kids coloring sheets and even a Tai Chi class led by Brandon Anderson.

Organized in cooperation between Montevallo Main Street, Impact Montevallo and DRUM the Program, the festival also allowed visitors to take part in multiple organization specific classes and demonstrations.

DRUM the Program, a cultural arts platform, presented classes led by instructor, master percussionist and internationally recognized musician Aboubacar Sylla that took place over two independent sections. The first class which took place from 1-1:30 p.m. and the second, which started later in the day, ran from 3-3:30 p.m., saw children and other attendees staged in a semicircle facing the main players as they were informed how to play along with provided drums.

Impact Montevallo, a volunteer group focused on the prevention of youth substance abuse through education, awareness and action, also supplied guests with a chance to explore their S.P.O.T., Substance Prevention Observation Training, trailer at the event.

The trailer presented a mock-up of the average teenager’s bedroom and served as an interactive resource to educate communities, parents and educators on how to spot certain risk items and signs of substance abuse that are often hidden in plain sight.

“Events like this foster a sense of community pride and help us remain a tight-knit community,” Bennett said.

Those seeking more information about the event and other upcoming outings planned by Montevallo Mainstreet, or who have questions about the event or its organizers, are encouraged to contact Mainstreet Montevallo via email at mainstreet@cityofmontevallo.com or by phone at 205-597-9322.