Collinsville has a monopoly on fun, entertainment and food the first weekend of May.

    The Lively Arts Festival, set to begin May 5 at 8:30 a.m., promises to be a fun-filled day for the entire family as arts and crafts booths, food and good, wholesome music fills the warm air.

    This will be the 24th year the festival has been sponsored by the Collinsville Community Club and club member Billy Allen said this festival, fundraising event just keeps getting better and better each year.

    “Collinsville is all about family and this event reflects that,” said Allen. “We want moms and dads to some with their children and have a great time. The festival area will be roped off in the morning so the kids can run free.”

    Allen said the West Lauderdale High School Marching Band will open the festival in a rousing way shortly after the gates open. Then from 9 a.m. until around 1:30 p.m., music of all kinds will be greeting the festivalgoers.

    Allen said there are some acts still to be nailed down but so far he said the festival will feature two well known Gospel groups, “Love Now” and the “Barnacastles” in addition to showcasing some young, up and coming talent like Jay Moffett.

    “Jay is 11 years old and can play the guitar and sing,” said Allen. “A marvelous young talent who I think the crowd will enjoy.”

    Allen said for those who are intending to enjoy the music to be sure and bring some lawn chairs and maybe an umbrella as the sun can beat down with the music. He said it hasn’t rained on a festival yet and he doesn’t expect it to happen this year either.

    “We have been blessed to have such good weather in years past,” Allen said.

    Several activities for the children will be available. For those West Lauderdale students who will be attending, maybe the most attractive attraction will be the dunking booth because as Allen said, “There will be someone interesting in there I’m sure the kids will enjoy dunking.” West Lauderdale teachers, to be exact.

    One of the aspects of the festival is the food. On the top of that list is the half fried chicken plates cooked up and sold by the community club. Allen said about 550 plates are planned for this year with the proceeds going to the many charities the club sponsors. Allen said the chicken plates will be ready at 11 a.m. They are $7 each.

    “We always set aside some of that money raised for the summer baseball league,” Allen said.

    The baseball tournament for the girls and boys will begin at 9 a.m. and end when the champions are crowned.

    Allen said if anyone has questions about the festival or if they would like to pre-order chicken plates, they can call 601-626-8183. If the chicken plates are eaten at the festival, tea and a desert will go with the meal.