East Laurinburg Spring Fest has gained status as a registered fundraising organization with state and federal governments.

Lily Pittman, a festival representative announced the change Tuesday night during the East Laurinburg Board of Commissioners meeting.

Pittman said the festival is a separate, private entity from the town. The group is now called E.L. Fundraisers. The representative said the group did not apply for nonprofit status because of the additional legal requirements.

Last year, the money raised was used to repair town vehicles. The funds are now to be used for the benefit of the community, Pittman said.

Pittman also discussed wthis year's Spring Fest, which will be April 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"It is going to be our annual festival to raise funds for the town of East Laurinburg," Pittman said. "This year, we are going to celebrate our 100th year."

East Laurinburg was chartered in 1909.

"We are going to have a food area, several food vendors, arts and craft vendors and a kids area that will consist of inflatables and other activities catering strictly to the younger group. We are also going to have the Tuesday Cruisers and gospel singing," Pittman said.

She said the group will raise money with the event by charging vendors, having a raffle for door prizes and selling pizza and drinks.

Pittman said the group was also considering holding a flea market or yard sale on the first of the month starting in April. She said the fundraising group would probably charge a $10 fee for space.

She added that the E.L. Fund raisers is also considering having gospel singing.

Pittman requested that the board allow the group to use community facilities, but the commission decided to hold off on the decision because several members of the board were not present.

Mayor Pro-Tem Marshall Stevens presided over the meeting in the absence of Mayor Randy Miller, who is sick. Commissioner Earlene Fowler was also not present, due to a surgery.