Alto’s optimism paid off. After a week of excessive rain and flooding, the town hosted its annual Spring Fling. Organizers didn’t set a rain date.
Turns out, they didn’t need one.
Hundreds of people, many battling cabin fever, came out to enjoy Alto’s 15th Annual Spring Fling under blue, sunny skies.
The festival kicked off with a parade down Gainesville Highway that ended up at City Hall. That’s where dozens of vendors were set up selling food, arts & crafts, even jewelry.
There were bounce houses for the kids, raffles for the parents (and kids), and live music for everyone to enjoy. And although it was hot, it was a welcome relief to being holed up at home in the rain.
Sunbeams and smiles
Popular, homegrown country music singer John King performed to the delight of some of his biggest fans. One woman traveled all the way from Memphis to catch his concert in Alto. King gave her a shout-out from the stage.
Contessa Champlin of Clarkesville (pictured above) got her own shout-out when she was named winner of the car show. She won a blue ribbon for the ’78 Z/28 Camaro she and her grandparents brought to the festival.
Contessa’s grandmother Lisa Frye says after days of heavy rain it was nice to get out in the sun. “We’ve had a great day!” she says. “The parade was awesome. They had fun throwing out candy.”
There were lots of other things to keep the kids happy, too. “I got to play in the bouncy house and I got to play on the playground and I got to sit on the float with one of my friends from school,” Contessa says happily.
She beamed while holding and talking about her prize ribbon. “I’m going to hang it up somewhere so whenever my little sister comes over…(she) won’t mess it up and I can always see it.”
There was lots of beaming in Alto on Saturday – from the beaming smiles of children and country music fans, to the hot sun beaming down – it was the perfect ending to a long, rain-soaked week.
Fun in the Sun
Alto Spring Fling
June 2, 2018 • Alto, GA
