Among the first-time participants will be downtown Rantoul businesses. Paula Hopkins, an organizer for the downtown participation, said the businesses will participate from 4-8 p.m. A hula hoop contest, bean bag toss and face painters will be among the activities planned for the public. “We’re supposed to do like a garage sale-type thing with stores,” Hopkins said, in which participating merchants have sale selections. There will also be a popcorn machine with free popcorn downtown.

Other participants and their times include:

• Golfview Village, 4-6 p.m.
• Generations of Hope 5-7 p.m.
• Pheasant Ridge, 4:30-7 p.m.
• United Methodist Church, 6-8 p.m.
• Glenwood Drive, 6-8 p.m.
• Nazarene Church, 6-8 p.m.

The Spring Fling replace the yearly National Night Out, typically observed in August. It is an effort to rally residents together before the busy summer season. The theme for the Spring Fling is, as always, “getting to know your neighbors.”

The Spring Fling offers an opportunity for neighbors to meet and establish connections with one another and relate with their local first responders under non-emergency circumstances.
“We have sought out citizens, neighborhood representatives, church congregations and local businesses to participate in coordinating this year’s event,” Melissa Welch, a Spring Fling organizer, said.