Bladenboro Bunny was decked out in the finest of Easter garments to the thrill of the crowds and especially the children. He also led the charge for the annual Easter egg hunt.
Mark DeLap | Bladen Journal
BLADENBORO SPRING FLING
The dance floor was very popular for the Bladenboro locals as well as tourists who weren’t afraid to cut some rugs on the makeshift dance floor.
Mark DeLap | Bladen Journal
The Bladenboro Spring Fest was lively, colorful and filled with a day of “wear me out” activities. You could almost hear the words to the song by Chicago - “Saturday in the park, I think, it was the fourth of July. People dancing, people laughing, a man selling ice cream - singing Italian songs. Can you dig it? Yes, I can, and I’ve been waiting such a long time for Saturday.”
Mark DeLap | Bladen Journal
With the record high temperatures that hit North Carolina, one of the most popular food and beverage booths was the one featuring Italian Ice. Add some matching sunglasses and you are accessorized for success at the Spring Fling.
Mark DeLap | Bladen Journal
Spring Fling in Bladenboro was a time to put on your best dancin’ boots and make it a fun time for family. The kids had eggs to hunt, line dancing to attend to, hula hoops to spin and lots of food to “not spill on your spring attire.”
Mark DeLap | Bladen Journal
Sandra Davis won the inagural Pound Cake Competition and wowed the judges with her pound cake made from an old family recipe and lots of love.
Mark DeLap | Bladen Journal
BLADENBORO – The musical strains of “Don’t be Cruel” flooded the early afternoon hours of Bladenboro’s Spring Fling along with the sounds of children playing, people chomping on ribs and the smell of freshly cut pound cake.
This year’s Spring Fling had a little bit of something for everyone and Bladen County had more activities than they knew what to do with! From a Colt Ford and Confederate Railroad Band concerts on Friday night to the annual Lu Mil 5K and wine tasting on Saturday, to a special lunch to help welcome Vietnam Vets back home at Southeastern Community College to the firing of the canons at Harmony Hall on Sunday. People who had been out celebrating Spring in Bladen County had a great weekend and those who expended all their energy are going to have to go back to work just to catch up from the Bladen parties on the weekend.
It was an all-day “Spring Fling” which took over the town and every nook and cranny of Bladenboro from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. in Bladenboro. It’s was an official wake-up to spring on Saturday. It was a magical mix of song and color and crafts and food and music. You could almost hear the words to the song by Chicago – “Saturday in the park, I think, it was the fourth of July. People dancing, people laughing, a man selling ice cream – singing Italian songs. Can you dig it? Yes, I can, and I’ve been waiting such a long time for Saturday.”
The opening ceremony in the Boro took place promptly at 10 a.m. and it kicked off a day filled with local talent entertaining throughout the day including an Elvis impersonator, who, although he didn’t particularly resemble Elvis at any age, his voice was spot on. A special addition this year was be the Pound Cake Baking Contest.
Organizer Joyce Walters was excited as she led people past the booth where the cakes were being entered early.
“I was totally surprised,” Walters said. “I thought, this being our first year and not having a lot of time to announce it, we may get three or four cakes to judge. What a surprise to have 12 entrants.”
There were three faithful judges who consumed more than anyone would consume of pound cake in one sitting and at 1 p.m. a winner was announced by Spring Fling organizer Penny Walters.
“I could say the experience today was fulfilling,” Karin Beatty said with a laugh. “I am full. I will probably taste pound cake for another day or so. But, actually, I am going to buy one of them.”
Sandra Davis won the Pound Cake Competition and said it was an old family recipe and she said it you ask, she doesn’t mind sharing it!
An Easter egg hunt was held for the kids and will begin at 2 p.m. Lucky eggs will be hidden and when found, prizes will be awarded. In addition, the shop, Things I Love Boutique had hidden adult eggs in her shop and people could receive special surprises.
What would a spring fling be without a hula-hoop contest which began at 2:30 p.m. Age groups for this twisting contest were 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, 14 and up. Prizes were awarded for each category and an overall grand prize was also awarded.
At 5 p.m. the party heated up once again as Black Water Band took the stage and played until the conclusion of the day until the sun was almost gone from the Bladenboro sky. It seemed like the Line Dancing capital of the world as the makeshift dance floor was packed out.
For more pictures, please visit our Facebook page for more pictures that were posted on April 6.