By Sue Hughes | For The Times-Post
PENDLETON — Four women on a trip about four years ago decided they wanted to have an event in Falls Park that would entertain people in town and raise money for the park.
By the time CoCo Bill, Carol Hanna, Beth Erskine and Lisa Floyd got home, they had a plan they called ParkFest.
“Each of us had our own area of expertise, so we all decided what part of the event we would take charge of,” Bill said. “We were all on our phones getting help and volunteers before we got home, so we knew we had to do this.”
The goal of ParkFest is to raise money for an amphitheater for the park.
This year’s event is set for 6-9 p.m. Sept. 5 at Barnhart Field, located southeast of Falls Park Drive and East Street.
Cal and Jody Wilson — who attended ParkFest with their sons Walker (pictured), Case and Hayse — won second place during Parkfest 2023 at Barnhart Field. Jody, sporting a parrot on her head, said their setup was a tribute to the late Jimmy Buffet.
As in the past, the band Stella Luna and the Satellites will perform starting at 7 p.m.
Other ParkFest activities include a chalk drawing contest and picnic place decorating contest. Participants are encouraged to decorate their picnic spots. Past picnic areas have included sports themes and a variety of other concepts.
A children’s play area will be hosted by Drug-Free Southern Madison County Coalition.
“We will have Boy Scouts available to haul your picnic supplies from your car,” Bill said. “We did it the first year and the boy scouts loved it.”
Nathan Davis, aka “Elfie,” owner of local business Magication Station, will be there making balloon animals.
An addition this year will be food trucks for those who don’t have time to pack a picnic. Bigg Higg, Los Compadres and Greek’s Pizza will be on site.
Tickets for ParkFest cost $15; children 10 and younger enter free of charge.
Tickets can be purchased online at fallsparkfest.com. There is no fee for buying online.
Organizers will be at Pendleton Indiana Farmers Market in Falls Park on Aug. 24 and 31 to explain how to purchase tickets. ParkFest proceeds benefit Falls Park Amphitheatre.
“We are just four women who want to do something for the park,” an event that brings the community together and benefits the park,” Bill said. She added, “We couldn’t do it without our sponsors and volunteers.”
