Sun and fun were celebrated at the Shoemakersville Park on June 7 during the 63rd annual Shoemakersville Children’s Fair and Parade. This year’s theme was ‘Sun, Fun and the Shoey Park.’
‘We have one of the best park programs around,’ said Shilpa Moser, Shoemakersville Recreation Board member.
The parade began the kick-off to summer in Shoemakersville with Grand Marshal A. Brian Moyer starting it off. Moyer was a park leader for 14 years and later shared some of his memories about the park including controversies over which group would get the new whiffle ball and running into people familiar with the park program just about everywhere including the airport.
Joining Moyer in the parade were groups such as the Hamburg band, Boy Scout Troop 160, Smokey the Bear, the Shoey Baseball Association, the Lions Club, State Farm Insurance agency, Shoemakersville Fire Company, Hamburg Fire Company, Virginville Fire Company and any groups or individuals who embraced this year’s theme. Prizes were awarded to groups that best fit the theme in their categories later in the park.
After all the candy was collected from the parade and it ended back at its starting point, attendees ventured into the park where the festivities began. Designed for children, there were all sorts of games and activities to keep everyone busy. While music played from the DJ, attendees were able to run around on three bounce houses, visit the animals in the petting zoo, get their faces painted, try their hand at ring toss, play on the playground equipment, grab a bite to eat and sign up for the scibble tournament which this year featured one for adults and one for children as well as many other activities.
As in years past there was a Chinese raffle which also featured scibble boards offered by a previous park attendee, Bud Miller. Sticking with tradition, children’s bikes were also part of the raffle.
This year’s shirts had ‘Shoey Playground’ across the front and ‘Got Scibble’ with a scibble board across the back.
Prior to announcing awards, Moser took to the stage to speak briefly about the park program and thank everyone for coming.
‘We had more than 100 kids last year,’ she said about the program which she added is one of the last left of its kid and still doing well.
Moyer than took to the stage to share his memories of the park program and thank the community for the past 63 years.
‘I’d like to thank the entire community for their support of the Children’s Fair,’ said Moyer. ‘Thank you for being part of the park program.’
Moyer brought photographs from the past to display for attendees to browse through.
Moser also organized for carnations that previous park program leaders could wear to be recognized during the festivities.
‘It’s amazing that every year it seems the same people come out and help,’ she said.
After prizes were awarded, it was time for the entertainment to begin on the stage featuring children and children related performances throughout the afternoon.
‘Without our volunteers we would not be able to make this day possible,’ said members of the board at a recent meeting. ‘We would also like to thank those who make donations to the park program for their continued support.’
The Shoemakersville Recreation Board members are Moser, Heather Berger, Jennifer Adam, Brian Herbert, Kristi Hartman, Tara Kennedy-Kline and Chris Kline.
All proceeds from the Children’s Fair and Parade benefit the Shoemakersville Park Program which is June 16 to Aug. 8 this year from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information on the park program, like Shoemakersville Park Program on Facebook.
