National Pike Festival puts festival season in full swing

May 15, 2007|by MARLO BARNHART

CLEAR SPRING - Festival season is about to begin in Clear Spring in full force, starting with the 19th National Pike Festival and Wagon Train planned for this weekend.

The encampment this year will be at Plumb Grove beginning Friday, May 18, at 5:30 p.m., according Juanita Grimm, Clear Spring town clerk.

Plumb Grove is a historical house built in 1831and restored by the Clear Spring District Historical Association.

There will be soup, sandwiches and desserts available for purchase followed by music and a campfire that evening.

On Saturday, May 19, breakfast will be available after 6:30 a.m., also at Plumb Grove. The wagon train is expected to leave at 9 a.m. heading east on its journey on U.S. 40, she said.

At 10 a.m., there will be a parade through Clear Spring, beginning at the school complex and ending at the former Thompson Trucking east of town, Grimm said.

The New Life Christian Church, a little farther east of Clear Spring, will have a lot of activities during its Spring Fest, which gets under way at 10:30 a.m.

The Clear Spring Ambulance Company's chicken barbecue will be for sale beginning around 10:30 a.m.

After Pike Days is over, townspeople will be looking forward to the 2nd Annual Independence Jam, which also will be at Plumb Grove on July 3.

"We are having five local live bands this year on two stages," said David Wiles, president of the Clear Spring District Historical Association.

There will be children's games and activities throughout the day along with tours of Plumb Grove.

"The first 1,000 people will get free ice cream," Wiles said. Food is going to be available all day.

Fireworks are on tap for 9:30 p.m., set off from a nearby farmer's field.

"They were spectacular last year," Wiles said.

Music will include local favorites, country, gospel, bluegrass and contemporary worship.

Children's activities include watermelon seed-spitting contests, sack races and other favorites.

Independence Jam committee chair is Lori Divelbliss. In a flier circulated around the Clear Spring area, Divelbliss noted that with the United States currently at war, it is now more important than ever to stand together - not only as the small town of Clear Spring but as a united country.

Contributions are still being sought to offset the expense of the event. They may be mailed to Independence Jam, P.O. Box 216, Clear Spring, MD 21722.

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