ROCKWOOD – It’s official: after a two-year hiatus, organizers have confirmed the return of the township’s annual Party in the Park event this summer.
Plans for this year’s event are currently underway and organizers are excited to welcome its return.
The event, which officials say with be full of fun, friends, fireworks and more, is set to take place July 28 at Rockmosa Park from 5 to 10pm. Event admission and activities are free.
This marks the fourth year the township has hosted the event.
After cancelling the event the past two summers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parks and recreation director Robin Milne said with case numbers coming down and restrictions being lifted the township decided to proceed with the event.
“We thought there’s good indicators that COVID is kind of, hopefully going to be a thing of the past,” Milne said.
“We’ll be looking at a new normal and people are going to need this – they’re going to want to get out”
He added, “There’s going to be people that are cautious and want to stay local.
“So having this type of event will get those people out and back into the community and seeing people that they haven’t seen too often for the last two years.”
Milne said based on the township’s estimates from food truck sales, line ups and spot counts, the event drew between 4,000 and 5,000 people pre-pandemic.
Aside from the Rockwood Farmers’ Santa Claus Parade of Lights, Milne noted the Party in the Park event is the only major social event the township has.
Haylee Bauman, 12, and Arielle Bauman, 14, climbed to the top of the rock wall at the 2019 Party in the Park. Advertiser file photo
With the pandemic putting a hold on gatherings, the township hasn’t had that kind of community socialization in a number of years, he explained.
“Part of it is civic pride,” he said. “I think a lot of people are proud of it for the years that we’ve had it.
“It’s a great opportunity for people to get out and catch up and meet people and for new residents to town … it gives them an opportunity coming out of the pandemic to see what Guelph/Eramosa and what Rockwood has to offer the community that’s there and to meet new people or just to get out have a good time locally.”
Milne said this year’s event will be quite similar to previous years.
It will include an area for live music, various children’s activities (including face painting), a dachshund race, a professional dog show and over a dozen food trucks.
“We try to cater to every age,” he said.
The township is still working things out and confirming availability, but he noted organizers are also looking to have the Rockwood Farmers’ Market at the event in addition to some more traditional vendors that would include items like pottery and artwork. A fireworks show will conclude the evening.
Milne said he’s excited to see everyone back in the park.
“As much as I enjoy all the aspects of the park, for me, it’s just all the work that goes into the park over the years,” he explained.
“All the new infrastructure that goes in, and then all the work and maintenance that the guys do on the park year round to have one night to see that many people there appreciate it.
“I think for me, that’s probably like the most exciting,” he added. “It’s the most rewarding to me that it’s like ‘we pulled this off.’”
Visit the township’s Facebook event page for more information.
