SPRINGPORT, MI - As many as 700 people will flock to the small village of Springport this weekend to celebrate the 42nd year of the Springport Summer Festival.
Hosted annually since the 1976 Bicentennial, the festival showcases the village's unique culture, exemplified by its original name: "8-80 Days." Activities take place Friday through Sunday.
"(The name) means that anybody from 8 to 80 (years old) can find something to do that weekend in Springport," said Jackie Merritt, Springport Summer Festival chairwoman.
Before the festival starts Friday evening, a 6 p.m "street sweep" will encourage locals to grab brooms and clean up Springport's downtown area. Festivities officially begin at 7 p.m., with belt sander races down Main Street. Participants will race on the backs of belt sanders provided by Eaton Rapids' Ace Hardware & Lumber store.
Friday's events conclude with a beer tent at the Springport Hotel Tavern, with a live performance by Dixie Mafia at 7:30 p.m. A free showing of the movie "The Greatest Showman" begins at dusk and will be projected on the side of the Homestead Savings Bank building.
Saturday's festivities begin at 8 a.m. with a 3K race benefiting the community's Girl Quest program.
Farmer Francis Artz will serve as grand marshal for an 11 a.m. parade on Saturday. Various children's games will take place throughout the day, as will community-wide rummage and yard sales. Food is being sold by a variety of local vendors.
A classic car show will take place along Main Street immediately after the parade until 3 p.m. There is no charge to participate, and all types of cars and bikes are welcome. Bands Bittersweet and the Oyers Corners Band each play a two-hour session starting at noon.
Sunday, the final day of the festival, is dedicated mostly to area churches.
Springport Bible Church is hosting services at 10 a.m. An "old-fashioned tent revival," featuring music, a tractor pull and lunch provided by Amy's Country Cafe is being hosted by Springport United Methodist Church at 11 a.m.