By Karen Hall

Editor

"Everyone involved was stellar; they really put their hearts into it," said Lewisburg Downtown Alliance member Ken Todd, as he talked about the last Second Saturday of the season.

"It was a beautiful day for an outside event," he added. It was also a beautiful day for a series of big college football games, and Todd said some people may not have come to the square because they were home watching football.

Thus, they did not have the biggest-ever crowd they were hoping for, but they certainly had enough for fun. Cali Stoltz "sang her heart out," backed by Eddie Fuller's excellent band, and Little Bit of Heaven also performed. Todd said they rarely have a big crowd just listening to the music, but it adds to the festive spirit on the square.

He said the bouncy houses and the pony rides were probably the biggest draw for the children.

"The kids had a blast," Todd said. "There was plenty for them to do. It helps the spirit of the community if kids have memories like this."

The perfect weather was also good for the Cruise In and they had one of the bigger turnouts of cars. Many of the vehicles come to Lewisburg after a car show in Columbia in the morning, but if there is rain in the forecast, they tend to go home instead.

Todd said there were more arts and crafts vendors at this Second Saturday, and none of them seemed disappointed.

"We'd be happy to turn it into an arts and crafts fair," he said. "If we turn it into a tradition, people will want to get involved.

There have been five Second Saturdays this summer, starting in May.

"The season was a success, absolutely," said Todd. "There's been a lot of buzz on Facebook. It shows a whole different side of Lewisburg."

Second Saturdays will start again in May 2014.

For pictures of Second Saturday see page A6.