Suzan Doordan loves long lines at the ATM.
At least during the annual Towsontown Spring Festival, when crowds at the cash machines mean the 250,000 patrons are spending money on everything from fresh potpourri to chicken teriyaki to car insurance. The festival celebrated its 39th birthday over the weekend, attracting hundreds of vendors to the county seat.
“It started on one little street with very few things, and it?s grown since,” said Doordan, executive director of Towson?s Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event. “And it?s a good, steady crowd.”
New to the event this year were an expanded children?s area, which Doordan said was relocated to the heart of the festival to create a more family-friendly atmosphere, as well as five NASCAR race cars and an additional stage for live music.
The proceeds from fees vendors pay to sell their wares fund the chamber?s operational costs and help to keep dues minimal, Doordan said. In addition to beer gardens, face painting, arts and crafts vendors, the event also attracted 60 nonprofit organizations and dozens of political candidates ?including Gov. Robert Ehrlich ? who handed out campaign fliers and stickers.
“That?s the beauty of this thing,” she said. “It?s not only a fundraiser for us, but permits others to distribute information or make a profit themselves.”
On Sunday, the event attracted first-time festival attendees and others who come each year. At her first festival in years, Nancy Cline said she came to enjoy the weather and people-watching. Towson resident Margarita Hammond said she came to continue a family tradition.
“The food?s great, the freebies are nice and we?re three generations,” said Margarita Hammond, gesturing to her son and two grandchildren. “I?ve been coming since the beginning, my son has been coming since he graduated from Towson, and now he?s bringing his own children.”
