Springfest returns to the hamlet of Highland this Saturday starting at 11 a.m. and running until 8 p.m., rain or shine. It will be a fun-filled day packed with entertainment, games for kids and fun for the entire family.

At 11:30 Gina Marie’z Academy of the Performing Arts kicks off the day with a dance performance, followed at noon with a Zumba Demonstration by Sherri & Rezzi. At 12:30 Stage to Screen performs a 15 minute “teaser” of their show, “Matilda”, and at 12:45 there will be live music by Laila Mach.

At 1 p.m. an audience will get the chance to participate in the largest game of Musical Chairs in the Hudson Valley, followed at 1 p.m. with a karate demonstration by Bushiken Karate Skinner Dojo. At 2 p.m. a Shopping Cart Relay Race will take place and at 3 p.m. Gina Marie’z Academy returns for an hour performance. Springfest concludes with a musical performance from Payne’s Grey Sky and guest Gia Ness from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Springfest is the brain-child of Stephanie Fraino.

“This is our seventh year and I actually created the festival, so it’s my baby,” she said. “We provide the entertainment and we have a huge inflatable obstacle course, a jumpy castle, a petting zoo, a carnival and games for the kids.”

Fraino said money that is raised at Springfest is donated to several organizations; the boy scouts, the girl scouts, the local food pantry and several school clubs.

Fraino joined the Lloyd Events Committee and suggested a Springfest to them. Their reactions was, “hey run with it and it’s gotten bigger and bigger each year and I add more and more things. What I wanted was a good old-fashioned community event where people can come and have fun and where the local businesses and organizations can showcase themselves.”

Fraino said the entire event is based upon her childhood memories of just such an event in her hometown of Utica in upstate New York. She said she hears some of the teens in Highland today say they loved Springfest as a kid, “and that makes me feel so good and that’s what it is all about.”

Fraino thanked her new Events Committee for their help in planning Springfest. She also thanked the festival sponsors: the Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Sawyer Savings, the Town of Lloyd, Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Sal’s Place, the Highland business Association, Wagon Wheels, Jacob’s Music Center, Brooks & Brooks Land Surveyors, Milanese Italian Restaurant, Jim Taylor Plumbing & Heating, Underground Coffee & Ales, Troy’s Auto Body, DiStefano Insurance, Bagels & Bites, DiLorenzo Tree Care, Brennie’s Pizzeria, Pomo d’Oro Pizza Cafe, the Frozen Caboose and the Southern Ulster Chamber of Commerce.