Fountain of Life fest enters 30th year

By Stephanie Prokop Staff Writer
   FLORENCE—Diversity and fun are the two priorities at the Fountain of Life’s annual Labor Day Festival this year.
   The festival, which is in its 30th year, takes place Sept. 3 starting at 8 a.m.
   ”We’ve just continually expanded,” said planner Mary Smith.”We get thousands of people who come out to the event, and many of them really enjoy our international food festival,” she added.
   The day’s activities also include a giant flea market, fishing contest, games and prizes for children, and a voluntary baptism at the end of the day at the Fountain of Life’s pond.
   Ms. Smith said so far she hasn’t heard of a crafter or seller doing poorly at the flea market during the festival.
   Ms. Smith said that last year there were a little over 200 spaces filled by vendors. Vendors do not need to register ahead of time, and there is a $25 fee to sell materials at the fair.
   The fair is also friendly to children, and there will be a hay ride, face painting, and games and prizes going on throughout the entire day.
   The fishing contest will start 8 a.m., and is open to fishing enthusiasts of all ages.
   ”We have prizes for the biggest fish, and we also have a prize for the contestant who catches the most fish,” said Ms. Smith. She added that the pond is well stocked, and some of the fish grow very large.
   The food festival is something that is sure to please even the pickiest eater, she said, featuring foods from all over the world.
   ”We have Spanish food, and we’re also going to have a pig roast going,” she said. “There will be carnival foods, hot dogs, smoothies, Italian sausages and peppers, and the list goes on forever,” said Ms. Smith.
   In addition the festival will feature “unbelievable desserts,” made by people of many different ethnic backgrounds who also contribute to the main course dishes.
   Live entertainment featuring a quartet musical group, and volunteers playing guitar and other musical instruments will round out the scene. Ms. Smith also noted that the Fountain of Life is trying to secure karate demonstrations to take place throughout the day.
   The day will wrap up with a natural water baptism ceremony at the pond, in which all people who wish to participate in the ceremony may do so, said Ms. Smith.
   ”We tried to hit a lot of different areas (for people to be interested in) and we’re hoping that a lot of people will have a fun day,” she said.
   Admission to the event is free and will begin at 8 a.m. at the Fountain of Life campus on 2035 Columbus Road.