ROGERS — The mainstays remain a part of Frisco Festival, but there are a number of changes for the 28th annual event, which starts Friday.
“We’ve changed the layout of the festival this year in a way we think will benefi t the public and the vendors,” said Kerry Jensen, executive director of Main Street Rogers, festival sponsor.
Dana Mather, Main Street Rogers event coordinator, said one of the biggest changes is the focus on local groups.
“In the past, the Rotary tent, used for the fish fry on Friday and the pancake breakfast on Saturday, was on Second Street, away from many of the festival attractions,” Mather said. “This year, the tent will be front and center on First Street.”
Additionally, food vendors won’t be staged in one area but placed throughout downtown on Walnut, First and Elm streets, Jensen said.
Jerry Carsten, a concessionaire, said he thinks spreading food vendors throughout the festival will be good for visitors.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Carsten said. “People don’t get hungry in one spot. With vendors sprinkled throughout the area, visitors can get a better view of what’s available and get something to drink or eat without having to go to one spot.”
Carsten provides a variety of food, from corn dogs to giant pretzels. He has worked Frisco Festival for 10 years.
Another event moved closer to the stage is the annual Chilisalsapeno competitions, sponsored by Arvest Bank.
“People tell us the Chilisalsapeno competition is one of their favorites,” said Christie Morris, an Arvest employee who works the event. “I’m excited we are going to be more in the middle of things this year.”
Musical entertainment for the festival will be somewhat different this year, Jensen said.
“We aren’t going to have music all day Saturday. We decided to book fewer but better-known bands this year,” Jensen said.
Daryl Brooks Band, a mix of Motown, rhythm and blues and soul sounds, will be the first band to play Friday night. The group has played with B.B. King, David Grisman and Bobby Bland. Boom Kinetic and ArkanSalsa also will play Friday night.
Whitey’s Frisco Chicken will be available, but Whitey’s crew will cook the birds at the pit at Second and Locust streets rather than downtown.
“Whitey said he wanted to move to the other location,” Mather said.
Chicken will be sold downtown, but the smoke and grease from the pit will not be a problem around the festival.
Jensen said Road King Games for teens have been added this year.
Jim Ennis, owner of Road King Games, will bring an air-conditioned trailer loaded with a large video screen and more than 100 games to the festival.
“It’s all self-contained with Xbox, PlayStation and Wii,” Ennis said. “Kids can come in out of the heat and play just about any game they may want.”