Preparations are in full swing for the fifth annual Gator Fest at the Columbia Water Park.
The festival will take place Oct. 28 and offers a variety of activities, according to Carolyn Burton, Marion County Development Partnership vice president Chamber Division.
“We will have airboat rides available for a small fee, an archery and BB gun shoot from the 4-H, the Douglas Farms Dog Show and, of course, catching pools of alligators from Insta-Gator Farms,” she said.
The Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery Education Foundations is located in Covington, La. The group will bring 18-inch to 3-foot long alligators. Insta-Gator normally brings about 30 alligators for the gator pools for festival goers to hold and pet.
“The canoe and kayak races start early with registration at 9:30 a.m., training at 10 a.m. and the race at 10:30 a.m.,” Burton said. “We’ve also got a lot of arts and crafts vendors and the Gator Fest Art Show sponsored by Ray Mathews. We’ll also have a wide variety of food vendors. Another attraction that was popular last year was the Freedom Ranch Birds of Prey exhibit.”
Last year, Gator Fest drew more than 3,500 people, according to District 2 Supervisor Terry Broome, whose beat includes the Water Park.
“We had a good crowd,” he said. “We had between 3,500 and 4,000 attend. There was a pile of people checking things out.”
A long list of entertainment is on tap for Gator Fest with a new addition to the lineup this year, according to Burton.
“Hannah Belle & Band will be on stage sponsored by McMurry Storage,” she said.
Other entertainment tentatively includes Jimmy Hutchins as Elvis, the Bluegrass Circuit Band featuring 15th Judicial Circuit Judge Anthony Mozingo and Calm Assurance.
Canoe and kayak races include several categories, two-person canoe and one person kayak. Participants can provide their own canoes, kayaks and life vests or for an additional fee, have them provided by Gator Fest. The race route will take participants along the Pearl River from the Water Park to the U.S. 98 boat launch, a total of six miles. Transportation back to the Water Park will be provided. For more information, contact Jeff Dungan at (601) 441-6184.
Burton said arts and crafts vendors are still being sought for this year’s event and applications are available at the MCDP offices on Courthouse Square. Electricity is provided, if needed. For more information, contact Burton at (601) 736-6385.
Burton said that with good weather, she hopes the crowd will continue to grow.
“We’ve had some big crowds since it began,” she said. “We’d love to see 5,000 people come and enjoy the day. It’s for all ages. The Kiwanis Club of Columbia will have inflatables for the kids. We’ll have pony rides. People can visit for the entertainment, arts and crafts or for the canoe and kayak races. We would love to see a great crowd this year.”
Gator Fest has many sponsors, with CSpire as one of the major sponsors. Other corporate sponsors include Camellia Home Health & Hospice, Trustmark Bank, Citizens Bank, First Southern Bank, Marion General Hospital, Marion Theater and Columbia Family Clinic. With organizers still seeking sponsors.
Proceeds from the event go to assist in care and renovations at the Columbia Water Park.
The week before Gator Fest, the fifth annual Gator Run, where miniature gators make their way down the model of the Pearl River at the Pearl River Interpretive Plaza, will take place. Drawings, raffles, prizes and more are part of the Oct. 21 event, which takes place at 2 p.m. The Gator Run is sponsored by the D.K.X. Bullock Home School and J.N.A. Academy. To purchase tickets or for more information, call (601) 441-2242 or (601) 740-0695.
Gator Fest is presented by the Marion County Board of Supervisors, the Pearl River Basin Development District and the Marion County Development Partnership.
Pictured Above: Canoes and kayaks head down the Pearl River last year. | File Photo
