ROCKWOOD – Organizers are feeling the anticipation as they welcome the return of Party in the Park for its fourth year.
The event will take place July 28 at Rockmosa Park from 5 to 10pm. Event admission and activities are free.
In previous years, the annual community event has been known to draw a crowd of over 3,000 from across the township and surrounding communities.
Parks and recreation director Robin Milne said it’s nice to again offer the Party in the Park event to the community after having to cancel it the past two summers.
“It’s almost like having the event for the first time again, because we’ve taken a break from it because it COVID for the last two years,” Milne said.
“If we had the same turnout as we’ve had in previous years, I’d be pretty excited about that.”
For the fourth year, the event has two local business sponsors – Tammy Sells Rockwood and Cory Young Insurance Group Inc., for a combined contribution of $28,800 – allowing for a wider range of activities.
Live music will be performed by Poverty’s Arse and the Blackwater Trio, plus buskers, a steel drum band, and dancers. A children’s performance tent will also be on site, and tethered hot air balloon rides will be available.
There will be a basketball and hockey skills station, a rock climbing wall, a yard games area, an axe throwing station, balloon and caricature artists, face painting and a petting zoo. Participants can also use the skate park and splash pad. Fireworks begin at 9:45pm.
New to the event is a Ferris wheel, sponsored by Cory Young Insurance Group Inc., a wiener dog dash with over 20 contestants already registered, and the Ultimutts Dog Show, which will put on three half-hour shows.
“We’re very lucky to have Tammy Sells Rockwood and Cory Young Insurance generously donate what they do, to be able to offer as many things as we offer at this event,” Milne said.
The Guelph/Eramosa Fire Department will also be present for two scheduled demonstrations on the different roles and jobs of the everyday firefighter.
The township has also added a vendor’s market to this year’s event, which Milne said will include over 30 vendors.
“I think just seeing the public back out in the park at a public event without masks on and just returning to normal,” Milne said of what he’s most looking forward to.
The township is still looking for volunteers to help with the event. Those interested can visit the township’s website.
As for any future plans to expand the event, Milne said that will be determined based on parking limitations and the available budget.
“I don’t see the event necessarily growing too much more than what it is,” Milne explained.
“I think we’ll keep it kind of around the same size but make a really big effort to change the offerings each year so it’s not a repeat of the same thing every year.
“And I think we’ve done a pretty good job of that over the last four years that we’ve done the events.”
To avoid parking issues, residents are encouraged to walk to the event or ride their bikes. A bike lock area will be available. Visit the township’s Facebook event page for more information.
