FILLMORE : 46th May Festival Gets Under Way

A midway with carnival rides and a traditional parade are among the highlights of Fillmore’s 46th annual May Festival, which runs through Sunday.

The festival also features hot-air balloon rides, tours of Short Line Enterprises’ antique trains, and free rides aboard a replica of a 19th-Century Wells Fargo stagecoach with a four-horse team.

Today is Children’s Day, with social activities beginning in Central Park at 2 p.m. Contests and games will be free for age groups ranging from infants to sixth-grade students.

The midway will be open on Main Street east of Central Park from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., with a $1 admission charge. Coupons for rides are available on the grounds; 24 coupons cost $12.

One-dollar chances on a hot-air balloon ride may be purchased at the Fillmore Chamber of Commerce at 344 Central Ave. or at Donna Tours, 459 Sespe Ave., through Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The money will benefit youth programs run by the Fillmore Optimists Club.

Saturday’s events begin with hot-air balloon rides from 6 to 9:30 a.m. on the Fillmore Junior High School grounds, just west of the intersection of A and First streets. A session aloft for 20 to 45 minutes will cost $75, with proceeds to benefit local Chamber of Commerce events.

At 10 a.m. the Arts and Crafts Fair and self-guided tours of antique train cars begin. There is no admission charge.

A parade Saturday will march down Central Avenue at 11 a.m., followed by a barbecue sponsored by the Fillmore High School basketball team.

Saturday hours for the midway will be noon to 8:30 p.m. with a $1 admission fee.

Sunday will feature more balloon rides beginning at 6 a.m., and arts and crafts and train tours starting at 10 a.m. The midway opens at 11 a.m., with free admission. The Wells Fargo stagecoach rides will be available Sunday between 11 a.m and 2 p.m.