The City of Gainesville Parks Department and the Frank Buck Zoo are partnering to host the 11th Annual Spring Fling to be held on Saturday, May 1st from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in beautiful Leonard Park. We are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Effie Doty Carroll Playground and the revitalized Frank Buck Zoo.

Arts and Crafts Vendors featuring face painters, decorative metal work, candles, quilts, hats, hatbands, belt buckles, mosaic tile work, walking canes, jewelry, alpaca clothing, sand candy, and much, much more. 

Food vendors and organizations will be selling popcorn, nachos, corn dogs, hot dogs, funnel cakes, twisted taters, sausages, snow cones, burritos, tamales, and a variety of other treats.

The Little Britches Rodeo will be held during the Spring Fling near the park pavilion.  Registration begins at 11:00 - 12:45 and the events begin at 1:00 pm.  Participants ages 3-6 will compete in stick horse bending, barrel races, and a goat ribbon pull.  Entry fee is $5.00 per participant.

The Frankie Schmitz Express will be running their regular spring schedule. The "Express" as many may recall was obtained by the Economic Development Corporation and donated to the City of Gainesville.  It began operation in Leonard Park in July 2000.  The train is a replica of an 1843 locomotive that had a wood-burning engine.  It was constructed in San Marcos in 1971 and operated in Wimberly, Texas until obtained by the Gainesville Economic Development Corporation in 1999.

Talley's Fun and Games will be in Leonard Park from Thursday through Sunday.  Thursday and Sunday will be armband nights.  Saturday rides will begin at noon.

The City of Gainesville invites you to come and bring the family for a fun filled day in beautiful historic Leonard Park.  For more information contact Lynette Pettgrew at (940) 668-4530.

Vendor Information

Vendor Registration Form