Beaufort County Community College will host its spring festival, Gullfest, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5.

Gullfest is a fundraising event sponsored by the BCCC Student Government Association.

Named for the BCCC mascot, a seagull, Gullfest is envisioned “to enhance the connection between the college and the community it serves by inviting the public to visit the college campus,” according to Student Activities Coordinator Theresa Edwards, chairwoman of the event.

“It was actually Theresa that came up with the idea,” said Betty Gray, public-information coordinator at BCCC. “This is our first year and we hope this spring festival will grow into a tradition at BCCC.”

A percentage of the proceeds from Gullfest will be donated to BCCC’s digital-sign campaign. The community college is attempting to raise money to construct a digital sign to display information and announcements about school events and activities.

Several attractions and activities are slated for the event, including a car show, arts and crafts, live bands and a children’s area. The BCCC Automotive Club is sponsoring a car show that will feature vintage and modern cars, trucks and motorcycles from throughout the Southeast. Ben Jones, a former Congressman from Georgia and the also actor who portrayed Cooter Davenport on the television show “Dukes of Hazzard,” is expected to attend Gullfest. A disc jockey will play music for car-show attendees.

Three local music groups, K-OS, Lo-Lock and The Flatland Zingers, should appeal to the variety of musical preferences festival-goers will have. The local acts have agreed to play for free, according to Gray.

The children’s area, dubbed Little Gulls’ Zone, will include a fossil dig sponsored by PotashCorp-Aurora, two bouncy castles, several trucks, first-responder vehicles, farm equipment and other vehicles for people to explore. Admission to the zone — for children 12 years old and younger — is $5 for one child, $8 for two children and $10 for three or more children per family.

Gullfest attendees can enjoy a variety of tasty food selections: salads and sandwiches purchased from the college grill, hot dogs purchased from the college’s Men of Success and popcorn, soft drinks and other snacks sold by the BCCC Student Government Association.

Local arts and crafts vendors will offer a variety of handmade and homegrown items for sale: wooden items, jewelry, handbags, herbs, scented candles, watercolors and wreaths. Aunt Sarah’s kitchen will sell kitchenware items.

The festival’s admission fee is $1 per person, but children 12 years and younger are admitted at no cost.

For more information on Gullfest, including information about vendor spaces or sponsorship opportunities, contact Theresa Edwards at 252-940-6217.