Spring into Statesboro, the annual festival for children and families, re-emerges on East Main Street downtown from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, with free children's activities designed and hosted by university students, plus music, shopping and food.

Dr. Troy Lawhorn, of Statesboro Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, is again lead sponsor, donating to help provide the children’s activities and games. Georgia Southern students taught by Brent Wolfe, Ph.D., professor of recreation and tourism management, set up many of the recreational stops for children.

“The Georgia Southern University recreation program is excited to partner with Downtown Statesboro Development Authority again to host another event for the city of Statesboro,” Wolfe said. “This experience is always an amazing opportunity for our students, as they have the chance to put lessons learned in the classroom into action, while serving our community.”

Some of the student-hosted activities, such as slime making, water gun paint art and face painting, are designed to let children show off their creativity. Other activities, such as superhero training and a mini-Olympics, aim more simply at fun.

Music & market

After local dignitaries kick off the day at 9 a.m., entertainers take over the community stage with music and other performances. Pladd Dot’s School of Rock will be playing in front of City Hall, states the event description from the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority, or DSDA.

Meanwhile, the Main Street Farmers Market will be open, with vendors selling farm-fresh produce and some festival foods. Shoppers can also purchase craft items, jewelry, soaps, and other homemade goods. Local mascots and princesses from Princess Productions will greet children and parents, and Kids Farm’s “cute and friendly alpacas” will be available for pictures, the DSDA announced. Party Harbor is providing “bouncy house” attractions.

The DSDA in its announcement also encourages festival-goers to shop at downtown businesses open on Saturday, mentioning Heirloom, Southern Soaked, Charlie's Funky Junk Shop and House of Treasures as examples.

Great American Cleanup

Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful is hosting a Great American Cleanup event 9 a.m. until noon Saturday during Spring into Statesboro.

The “Keep Statesboro-Bulloch Beautiful” page on Facebook has a link to an event page, which in turn links to an online signup form for individual volunteers and groups. Volunteers are expected to report to the Great American Cleanup table on the Bulloch County courthouse lawn by 9 a.m. to complete their registration by signing the required waiver form.

Great American Cleanup efforts, coordinated by Keep America Beautiful and its affiliates, take place annually in an estimated 20,000 communities nationwide.

Historical Marker

Also during the festival, the Bulloch County Historical Society will unveil its newest historical marker. The society has erected markers in Statesboro, throughout Bulloch County and even in the borderland of a neighboring county that was once part of Bulloch. But this marker will be the first to recognize the city of Statesboro itself.

The dedication will take place at 11 a.m. in Triangle Park, the site of the fountain where East Main Street and Savannah Avenue converge.