The sounds from the band “Wiser Than Fools” blasted through stage speakers, one of a variety of bands performing at Tallahassee’s Springtime Downtown Get-down Friday evening.
Children squealed and giggled at the Kids, Inc. of the Big Bend booth, where volunteers were helping students create bootblack, a pudding-like mixture made of cornstarch and water. Whitney Lubin, a Florida State University student from Pembroke Pines, was lead volunteer, a position she has had since fall of 2010.
“I just love the smiles on their adorable faces,” Lubin said. “It’s lots and lots of fun, and a great opportunity for college students to come out and earn volunteer and community service hours.”
The fun and games didn’t stop. On the other end of the booth face painting, finger painting and picture taking was offered to the children.
“I enjoy coming out every year, it gives my family something to do, something that we all can enjoy,” said Karlyn Lewis, 38, a self-proclaimed homemaker. “The food and entertainment always pleases my husband and the activities for the kids are worthwhile.”
The Cravings Truck, a mobile diner truck, owned by FAMU alumni Kianta Key and Johnathan Sellers, offered free red velvet ice cream to attendees, forming a line stretched down the street.
“The only reason I come to these festivals is to eat and the food is always good, almost better than the fair,” said Sherica Florestial, a third-year health information student from Kissimmee.
While ice cream chilled the people down, it didn’t get in the way of them eating “good ole food.”
The truck served sausage dogs, hamburgers, drumsticks and more. Dennard Smith, a fourth-year English student from Newark, N.J., is one of the student employees. Smith said two top sellers are the chicken and waffles and the Big Meech, the nickname for the sausage dog.