ELLERBE — With spring in full swing, another festival is around the corner.

The Mineral Springs Improvement Council is in the final stages of planning Mayfest, scheduled for noon to 6 p.m. on May 14 in a clearing at 122 Railroad Street.

The springtime festival, now in its fourth year, is an annual fundraiser to support the council’s afterschool and summer enrichment programs, according to Barbara Moton.

She said the council recently purchased new computers for the programs and “the kids love them.”

“Some of them have homework they need a computer for,” she said.

The computers have reading and math games to help reinforce the skills the children learn at school and volunteers also help the students with their handwriting.

Moton said this year’s Mayfest will have several churches selling food, art, craft and jewelry vendors, yard sale items and blood pressure tests, in addition to a trackless train ride.

The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Ellerbe Fire Department will also be set up. Last year, a deputy handed out coloring books on public safety and had a display that showed the similarities between pills and candy, while firemen let kids explore a firetruck.

Several county commissioners and candidates have committed to being at Mayfest and will help out with some of the games, Moton said.

Music is also a major aspect of the small-town festival, with performances slated by Curtis Brewington, Ray Charles and a gospel rapper.

For more information, visit the Ellerbe Mayfest page on Facebook or call Moton at 910-206-6820.

Reach reporter William R. Toler at 910-817-2675 and follow him on Twitter @William_r_Toler.

William R. Toler | Daily Journal file photo Anthony Townsend grills up several racks of barbecued pork ribs for The Church of God of Rockingham at last year’s Mayfest in Ellerbe.
https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_mayfest_ribs.jpgWilliam R. Toler | Daily Journal file photo Anthony Townsend grills up several racks of barbecued pork ribs for The Church of God of Rockingham at last year’s Mayfest in Ellerbe.

By William R. Toler

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