First Avenue will be one of the most entertaining places to be this Saturday as MissionFest gets underway at 10 a.m.
The thoroughfare will remain closed to vehicle traffic from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to make room for the excitement, which include a block-long car show.
So far, said organizer Rhett Nicholson, approximately 30 cars have signed up, but more owners are encouraged to drop by on Saturday as registration will still be accepted.
“We’d like at least 60 cars,” he said.
The event is split into three zones, each one encompassing one block of downtown. Area one, bordered by Grand Street and James Street, is the Rockin’ River Music Zone and will feature live musical entertainment, free yoga classes and zoomba lessons.
Heading east, area two, the Optimist Kids Zone, will feature pony rides, a 19 ft. waterslide, inflatable bouncy house, and a pancake breakfast.
The third area, between Welton Street and Horne Street, will contain the Re/Max car show. Judging starts at noon, and awards will be handed out at 4 p.m.
In addition to the fun and games, numerous First Avenue vendors will be having special displays, sales and attractions.
On the community stage in area one, there will be hip hop lessons, three showings of Antiques and a Little Tolerance, presented by Opening Nite Theatre, fly fishing demos, and one of the performers from the Rockin’ River Music Fest, happening simultaneously at Mission Raceway Park Aug. 12-13. The performer is still to be determined.
“We want this to be an annual event and we’ll see if maybe we can make it a weekend next year,” said Nicholson.
