The only question is: Will there be Scooby snacks?.

Tuesday, May 16, 2000

The only question is: Will there be Scooby snacks?

This year’s SPAMTOWN USA festival, SPAM Jam and Independence Day celebration are just around the corner – July 1-4. From the SPAM Jam on the first day and fireworks each night to the Independence Day activities at Horace Austin Park, there is sure to be fun for all ages.

This year’s SPAM Jam celebration at East Side Lake marks the 10th anniversary of the celebration. Cindy Samuel, festival coordinator, is excited about everything planned for this year, and she knows just where to lay the credit.

"I’d like to thank our sponsors, especially the fireworks sponsors, and the city of Austin, and all the people who’ve donated their time and money," Samuel said, and quickly extended further thanks to the volunteers who make it all come together every year.

"We do literally have hundreds of people working to make this happen," she said.

This year’s events begin July 1 with the 10th annual SPAM Jam, with most activities taking place at East Side Lake. There will be a 3-mile walk for health, and a 5-mile run. This year, the proceeds of the 5-mile run will be donated to the United Way of Mower County. In 1999, a record 320 runners participated.

The run isn’t the only way charities and organizations will benefit from SPAM Jam. Some of the games that can be found on the banks of East Side Lake are sponsored by groups that use them to raise funds for their needs, including Austin Catholic Schools and Austin Youth Hockey.

"We are very pleased that so many worthwhile groups in the area are able to use SPAM Jam as a fund raiser to help meet their needs," said V. Allan Krejci, vice president of public relations for Hormel Foods Corp., sponsor of the daylong celebration.

Some of the not-to-be-missed activities on July 1 will be SPAM Bingo, beginning at 9 a.m. in the tent area, SPAMTOWN Belle paddle boat rides, entertainment from "Tune Into Kids" on the south end at 2:30 p.m. and an autograph party with triathalon champion and co-grand marshal Bob Brubaker.

Brubaker will be sharing his grand marshal duties on July 4 with Cartoon Network personality Shaggy – you may remember him from Scooby Doo cartoons.

The July 2 SPAMTOWN USA Festival will mark its 15th anniversary this year, beginning with a "Taste of Austin" pork producer’s supper at 5:30 p.m. in Bandshell Park. There will be plenty of entertainment, including a showing of "Fiddler on the Roof" by Summerset Theater before the night’s concert in the park featuring the Austin Symphony Orchestra.

July 3 will see the return of Downtown Family Day on Main Street. The street will be blocked off and events will start to roll at 9:30 a.m., including a kiddie parade and a karate demonstration.

July 4 will see the Independence Day celebrations. Not to be missed will be the grand parade with its co-grand marshals, Brubaker and Shaggy. All day in Horace Austin Park will be entertainment, the Austin Jaycees beer and brats tent, and fun games for kids of all ages.

There also will be a fireworks grand finale on July 4, but it will only cap off four nights of fireworks extravaganzas, Samuel said, in conjunction with the festival anniversaries and the onset of the new millennium.

Some events, like the 5-mile run or the "Around the World with SPAM" recipe contest, need to be registered for in advance.

Pick up a festival book in the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce offices, 329 Main St. North. For further information, visit the festival’s Web site at www.spam-jam.com, or drop an e-mail to spamtown@smig.net.