The Mayfest, May 3-4, takes up the whole downtown area of the Leesville Historic District.  Music is right in the middle of it all — the stage is in front of the old Courthouse. The area to the right of the stage on the lower end of Third Street, past the post office and nearly to the museum, will be packed with local, area, regional, and national vendors showing off their arts, crafts, and consumables, as well as sharing information with visitors.  To the left of the stage on the upper end of Third Street, you’ll find Mayfest Mac’s favorite place, THE FOOD ALLEY! . . . up and down the street, on both sides!  More on the food in next Wednesday’s edition of the Vernon Parish Journal.

Mayfest Mac is not an artsy-craftsy kind of guy.  It’s not his skill set.  Rumor has it, he made his mom a pair of orange plexiglass salad tongs in shop class once — not a work of art except to a mom!  His eye is keen, however, on pretty baubles, decorative items, and practical gifts.  Mayfest Mac says come early!  Vendors should be ready by 9:30-10 a.m. Saturday.  Many vendors will stay ALL DAY!  Here is what you can expect (and this is just the tip of the old iceberg): soaps, body lotions, scrubs, essential oils, air brushed t-shirts, wind chimes, suncatchers, handmade quilts, even canvas art.  Come see hair accessories, lamps, woodworking, signs, and jewelry from across the globe.  Over 50 vendors are committed to attend with many more expected to sign up before the deadline for entering.  Did we mention live plants, jellies, kettle corn, sourdough breads, and original works of art?  There will also be informational vendors with legal aid, LifeShare Blood Center, and local businesses set up to visit with the thousands of visitors to downtown.  Mayfest Mac promises you will go home with something from this end of the street!

Those strange scribblings on the parking lot of the Vernon Parish Police Jury building are just the Rotary  Club’s annual Chalk-A-Block art project.  Kids and adults can draw with chalk ’til their hearts are content.

MAYFEST MAC’S TIP OF THE DAY:   At the other end of the street, hidden in the food area, you can step into Galley One ElllEVEN and visit ClayFest.  The gallery space will showcase clay artists from all over.  You might even get some hands-on time with the clay.  Make sure the kids see ClayFest!