Krugerville’s Park Fest returned for another year, this time ending with a bang.
This year was special because not only was it a celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, but the city also hosted its first professional fireworks show, an idea sparked by local resident John Nipe.
“Six years ago, John Nipe, president of the CDC at the time, he had a dream; he wanted fireworks over there,” Mayor/Event Coordinator Rodney Cagle said, before the first round of fireworks shot up over the lake, illuminating the night sky.
Cagle was thrilled to be part of his friend’s dream and to help make it a reality.
He estimated that over 1,000 people attended throughout the day.
Park Fest was also partnered with the Krugerville Farmers Market, which offered a variety of food trucks, vendors and water slides.
Before the fireworks, the morning kicked off with a car show, another big attraction hosted by Time Machine Car Shows, and Volunteers Viki and Izzy Dunn helped oversee the car show portion.
Izzy combined his graphic arts expertise and love of cars to become one of the designers for the event’s flyer and T-shirts.
“I've been volunteering in the area for as long as we've lived out here,” Viki said. “I think it's important for people to volunteer in their communities. I'm glad that I'm able to do that. I'm glad that my husband recognizes the need to do that and to make this part of our lives so that we can make the community a better place.”
There were around 85 cars in the car show, a number they said had dropped compared to the year before.
“What we were trying to do, though, was make sure that we could try to bridge that gap between the car show, the live music and the fireworks show for the 250th birthday,” Viki said. “A lot of car show people like the early morning car shows, so we probably had less this year because of that.”
It’s something Cagle says they will factor in for next year.
“But I still think it was really, really good,” Viki said. “I loved the people that did come out to join us. And everybody was in a good mood, which is always helpful. And we had a lot to do, which is always great. So, I mean, we're, again, looking forward to next year.”
Accompanying the vendors was live music throughout the day, and people pulled out their lawn chairs, and some stood to dance.
One of the featured local bands was The Shane Hamilton Band.
“This is home for us,” lead singer Shane Hamilton said. “We love it here. ... Seeing it here grow to what this is, is incredible. And so, getting to play here was a special treat.”
Cagle thanked a host of people for their contributions.
“I could not do this, seriously, without the people who volunteered to help,” he said. “… It takes them all. And everybody steps up. It's great.”
Paisley McGee/The Post-Signal
