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Pocomoke Cypress Festival will be two days this year

(June 15, 2017) Who says you can’t teach old dogs new tricks?
Now in its 42nd year, Pocomoke’s annual Cypress Festival will, once again, provide music, arts, crafts, food and drinks, along with a few new wrinkles, this Friday and Saturday.
The array of activities takes place from 5-9 p.m. on Friday, and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Produced by the Pocomoke Area Chamber of Commerce, the long-standing summer kick-off event went through a metamorphosis of sorts last year when amusement rides were no longer offered, following the closure of the company previously contracted for that purpose.
Michelle Hickman, chamber executive director, said despite that unexpected turn last year’s festival offered new activities, such as the donut eating and barbecue contests, with other new surprises set for this weekend.
“It’s intended to be a family friendly event the whole community can enjoy,” she said.
After losing the amusement rides last year, Hickman said alternative offerings were quickly sorted out, including a bounce house, obstacle course, giant inflatable slide and a rock-climbing wall, all of which will return this weekend.
Although the rock-climbing wall is not age restrictive, Hickman said only children have braved the activity thus far.
“I haven’t had any adults attempt it yet,” she said.  
New activities this year include a dunk tank, which Hickman said would contain faces familiar to the community.
“[Mayor] Bruce Morrison and Ray Daisey, of Taylor Bank, will be two of the people in the dunk tank, which was donated by Ace Hardware in Pocomoke City,” she said.
For children too young to toss a ball at the dunk tank, Hickman said another new addition at this year’s festival is a petting zoo sponsored by the Peninsula Eye Center.
Among the traditional offerings at the festival will once again be the duck derby, which Hickman said was a popular event.
Tickets cost $1 a piece of half a dozen for $5, with half the funds raised awarded as prize money, Hickman said.
Another highlight for youngsters, back for a second year, is the Dunkin’ Donuts Eating Competition, which includes two age-based categories.
“There will be donut holes for little kids and whole donuts for older kids,” she said.
Prizes include tickets to the Mar-Va Theater and gift certificates to Dunkin’ Donuts, Hickman said.
Other highlights include local craft vendors, a tug-o-war competition, carnival games and an antique car show.
Bring your appetite and support a good cause with any food purchases, Hickman said.
“The food vendors are all local nonprofits,” she said. “This is a big fundraiser for them and helps them fund scholarships.”
Live music is on tap both days starting with North Meets South at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Three acts are lined up for Saturday, beginning with Dawn Williams at noon, followed by Phil Portier at 3 p.m. and ending with Alex & Shiloh at 6 p.m.
“We’ve got something going on the whole time,” Hickman said.
Tyson Foods and Delmarva Power primarily sponsor the festival, Hickman said.
As in years past the Cypress Festival will end with a bang, as fireworks light up the skies along the Pocomoke River, sponsored by the City of Pocomoke.
Admission to the festival is $2 to enter and for $8 includes unlimited activities. For more information, visit www.pocomokechamber.com.