Riverview Spring Fest Attracts Foodies, Car Fanatics

More than 70 businesses from the Riverview area offered food, freebies and merchandise for sale during the fourth annual Spring Fest community festival hosted by the Saturday, April 14, at Riverview High School.

This year’s Spring Fest Included a High Rollers car show and a kids play area with inflatables, games, face painting, pony rides and other activities. A variety of food vendors were on hand for the day. And the stage featured live music, martial arts and dance performances and performances by members of the Riverview High School Chorus, which also sold candy and baked goods to raise funds to go to state competition April 30.

"We're doing very well," said high school soloist Elizabeth Rosado, who was busy selling World's Finest Chocolates, home-baked goods and lollipops to raise the $10,000 needed to go to state competition.

"Everyone at the school is making a big effort to help us," added soloist Haylee Merritt.

Nearby, Don Maidlow and Tammy Davidson of the Bloomingdale-Riverview Community Emergency Response Team encouraged visitors to bid on a variety of items in a silent auction. The CERT, which now has 27 members, was raising funds to purchase emergency equipment.

Meanwhile, Lucio Rodriguez and his son, Ivan, were doing a brisk business selling Rita's Italian Ice for $1.

Rodriguez opened the franchise at 13449 U.S. 301 S., Riverview, four years ago, and viewed the Spring Fest as a way to give back to the community that has supported his business.

"It's always nice to give back to the community," he said. "I try to do events like this whenever I can."

FishHawk Ranch residents Peter and Alison Farnan entertained visitors with a chance to dress up and have their photos taken at their Clik Me Quik photo booth.

Peter Farnan said his open-air photo booth is available for sweet 16 parties, weddings and charity events.

"We provide costumes and the client gets the photos on a USB drive," said Farnan.

"This is our fourth year hosting this Spring Fest, and it's become a great community event," said Tanya Doran, executive director of the Riverview chamber. "This is our first year at Riverview High School and we were very pleased to attract 70 vendors. I think this event is just going to grow and grow."