Perk up! Springfest is back in Perkasie

The countdown has official begun for one of the biggest events of the season! Next Saturday, May 18th, Downtown Perkasie will come alive with local sounds, sizzling BBQ, and the smell of fresh baked pie when SpringFest 2013 gets underway at noon.

In addition to a range of live music performances, the day will feature a 5K Race/Fun Run in the morning, a ribs grilling competition and sampling, a pie baking competition and eating contest, the A&T Chevrolet-Subaru Big Wheel Downhill Derby, a Food Court, local merchants and vendors, and the Free Will Brewing Co. Beer Sampling Tent. Other major sponsors include First Savings Bank and Weber, Kracht & Chellew.

From 1pm to 5pm, browse through dozens of crafters and other unique vendors along Merchant Row. From jazz to rock, funk to blues and reggae, acoustic to electric, the live music scheduled for this year’s Perkasie SpringFest 2013 will please just about every taste.

In addition to taking in the sights, the line-up of events is packed:

Starting at 7 a.m.: Competitors will begin arriving at the Main Tent (7th and Market) to begin the the slow, mouth-watering process of grilling their ribs. With secret sauces and rubs, the chefs will be competing for cash prizes and bragging rights. The Ribs-Grilling Competition is sponsored by First Savings Bank.

Tickets ($10) for sampling will go on sale at noon. (They go fast so get there early!) Sampling begins at 1 p.m.

At 10 am: It's time to work up an appetite for all of that delicious food at the 5K Run/1-Mile Fun Run. Sponsored by Weber, Kracht and Chellew with help from Sisters U, the race will begin at the skate park pavilion in Menlo Park and takerunners on a picturesque, mostly flat trek around the park and surrounding areas.

The music kicks off at noon when the Pennridge High School Jazz Bands take to the Main Stage. Fresh off their award-winning performance at Disney, the students will perform until 1:30 under the direction of Greg Benson.

From noon until 4 p.m., Hexwork and Justin Wagner will perform in the area of 7th and Arch streets.

Meanwhile, Andrew and Nick Acoustic, a two-piece band formed by current Pennridge High School students, will perform their traveling street corner rock at several locations, including the C & C Cafe patio from 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m., 7th and Market from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., the municipal parking lot at 7th and Walnut streets from 2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and outside of Perkasie Borough Hall from 3:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

At 2 p.m., Mike Greer will perform a mix of original music and classic/modern rock covers with an acoustic core. Greer has been performing in the area with great energy and style for more than 25 years.

2:30pm: As soon as the ribs are cleared out, the pies will arrive for judging and sampling starting at 2:30 p.m. The popular — and sloppy — pie-eating contest will commence at 3 p.m. for Big Piggies and Little Piggies. BeHomeCare sponsors the Pie Competition.

Singer-songwriter Kenny Ferrier will take the Main Stage at 3 p.m. A John Mayer-type performer, his folk and pop-based sound is defined by strong melodies and unique chord voicings.

At 4 p.m., the crowds will gather along 7th Street for the always exciting Big Wheel Downhill Derby. Competitors will risk life and limb as they hurtle down a steep hill on their customized Big Wheels.

At 4:40 p.m., The Derelict Franchise, a rock band for all ages, will cleverly mold the sound of American folk and bluegrass.

At 5 p.m., it’s time to relax as the beer and wine sampling tent opens, courtesy of the Pennridge/Perkasie Rotary Club. Enjoy craft beers and local wines to finish the day.

Neptune Bloom, a New Age rock and jam band that successfully blends elements of Funk, Blues, Reggae, & Rock, will perform starting at 6:05 p.m.

Finally, Kind of Blue will bring its classic rock and blues fusion to the Main Stage from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. to wrap up the entertainment on the Main Stage.

Happy Springfest!