LOWELL - Hundreds attended the village of Lowell's 26th annual Springfest this weekend, including Brooke Grubb of Little Hocking who was buying some Uncle Dan's Ice Cream at the festival Sunday afternoon.
"We come here with our family every year," she said. "It's a nice event."
Grubb delivered a cup of the ice cream to son Ethan, 3, who proceeded to dig right in.
Browsing through some of the festival's many vendors was Robin Sinnett, of Parkersburg, with her 18-month-old granddaughter, Braylin Byrd.
"We come to Lowell for the Springfest every spring and the Octoberfest here every fall," Sinnett said. "We like it all."
A new wrinkle this year was the antique tractor and model engine display where Richard Arnold, of Marietta, was showing off his half-scale model of a 1.5-horsepower International Model M gasoline engine.
"I've built four or five scale model engines from kits," Arnold said. "It's a hobby of mine. We go to several festivals and shows every year."
Nearby Ricky Stauch, with Sandy's Bargain Barn in Waterford, said this was his first time as a vendor at the Springfest. The business sells used merchandise, including furniture, household items and toys.
"There was some rain Saturday morning, but that afternoon a lot of people still came through," he said. "I'm pretty satisfied with the crowds."
Several booths away Whipple resident Mary Hesson was selling tomato plants.
"I've sold at least 40 this weekend," she said. "Growing plants is just a hobby - I'm a school bus driver, and it helps me relax. I probably grow about 1,000 plants every year."
Lowell Mayor Dave Pitzer said this year's Springfest has been pretty successful in spite of Saturday's early rains.
"But it cleared up in the afternoon, and today (Sunday) the weather is just perfect," he said.
Pitzer said the festival is an annual fundraiser that helps support some village projects, including the Lowell swimming pool.
Past Springfests have garnered between $2,000 and $3,000 for the village.
"We'll be able to keep the pool open this summer, from June 2 to Aug. 12," Pitzer said. "So this is really appreciated. But it's also a great event where people can come for some food and entertainment, look over the vendors, or just meet and visit with their friends and neighbors."
