With only a few weeks until the event, St. Clair Park and Recreation Board members are pushing for an increased number of vendors for the 2012 Freedom Fest, scheduled for June 23 in Orchard Park.
Park board member Letha Childers said between 150 and 200 letters have been mailed to individuals who potentially could display their wares at the annual event. She also said she has emailed many others, but did not have a count for that specific type of solicitation.
“We sent the forms to past vendors as well as to any others we knew,” Childers said during the board’s April meeting. “We would really like to have more vendors this year.”
City Administrator Rick Childers, Letha’s husband, agreed.
“Vendors and a crowd are what we’re really trying to draw,” he said. “If you have a lot of vendors but not a big crowd, your event is not as successful. If you have a big crowd but not a lot of vendors, your event also isn’t as successful.
“We really want a lot of both.”
Last year, a couple dozen vendors signed up for the event and offered games, food and sellable items.
“We just want to make sure people have plenty to do,” Letha Childers said.
Extra electrical service is being wired at Orchard Park to better serve vendors, Rick Childers said.
Vendor information and applications are available through city hall at 636-629-0333.
The St. Clair Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a pair of bounce houses for children during the festival. Household Sales & Leasing will have a variety of games on the basketball court area. Michelle’s School of Dance will have a dance troupe on site. Turtle races, a hot dog and watermelon eating contest, pennies in a haystack game and other activities are planned.
New this year will be some kind of a talent show. It will replace the children’s pageant that had been a staple at the festival for years. Dana Collins is organizing the show.
The festival will conclude with an expanded fireworks show at dusk.
On the evening before, Friday, June 22, a kiddie parade will kick off Freedom Fest. Rick Childers said plans are for it to be similar as last year’s when children up to age 12 decorated bicycles or other nonmotorized modes of transportation and traveled from City Park on Main Street to Evergreen Park.
Members
Rick Childers also said the city is looking for individuals to serve on the park board. The board meets once a month, on the fourth Monday, at 6 p.m.
People must live in the St. Clair city limits to be considered.
The board monitors an annual budget and makes decision on park-related events and activities, such as Freedom Fest, October’s Boo Bash and the annual Lighted Christmas Parade in December.
By ordinance, the city is supposed to have nine park board members. Currently, it has four. There are several people who serve as nonvoting members
For more information, contact Rick Childers at city hall.
