By Sarah Campbell
scampbell@salisburypost.com
SALISBURY — The sun was hiding Sunday morning, but by the afternoon it had broken through the clouds, transforming the day from gloom to bloom.
Local residents took advantage of the sunny skies and warm temperatures that hovered around 80 degrees, heading to Hurley Park for the annual Spring Celebration.
Beth Nance and her daughter, Caroline, strolled the park chatting with friends and soaking in the sun.
“What a fabulous day,” Beth said. “We wanted to get out and enjoy this lovely weather.”
While Caroline, 8, tried her hand at the violin and tuba, Beth said she was looking forward to hearing the Polka Dots polka band perform.
The instruments are part of the Salisbury Symphony’s musical petting zoo, a hands on exhibit that gives children the opportunity to test out a variety of instruments.
Julie Upp and her dog, Coco, enjoyed a performance of the North Rowan High School Glee Club from the grass. She was joined by Beth Pfister and her daughters, Ashlyn, 1, and Kaley, 4,
They took in the artwork on display by Carolina Artist and the antics of Wacky Doo the Clown before settling in on the lawn.
The women said they attend the event annually, but particularly looked forward to this year because of the “beautiful weather.”
“We live in the area so it was nice to just get out and walk here,” Upp said.
Makenzie May, 5, burst into laughter as she watched Wacky Doo create a flower out of balloons.
Jennifer May, Mackenzie’s mother, said the family-oriented nature of the event drew them to the park Sunday.
“I was looking for something to do with the family and this seemed like a good fit,” she said.
Attendees also got a chance to see a Salisbury Fire truck up close and personal and travel the perimeter of the park in a horse-drawn carriage.
Cheerwine flowed freely to fend off thirst and cookies and popcorn served as an afternoon snack.
Jane Ritchie, the park’s landscape architect, said this is the 25th year of the Spring Celebration, which she described as a “happy family gathering.”
“We’ve been blessed to have good weather almost every year,” she said.
Ritchie said the 14-acre public park will mark its 25th anniversary next year.
“It’s just a wonderful park, I come here all the time,” Betsy Lowe said. “I look foward to the spring celebration because it brings so many families together to enjoy the simple things, like blooming flowers and live music.”
Contact reporter Sarah Campbell at 704-797-7683.
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