COMMUNITY

HERE YE! HERE YE! HERE COMES FESTIVAL IN THE PARK!

By: Lyle Evansiano August 6, 2008

Festival In The Park scheduled for August 16th in Orting, is quickly becoming a destination festival in the Pacific Northwest. With inflation inflating and gas costing double what it did this time last year, people like you and I are looking for what's authentic. Festival In The Park has done that for Orting for more than a decade and this years' Festival In The Park promises to be the best yet.

"The response this year is really becoming exceptional." said Debora Klingenberg, Festival Event Coordinator for the Orting Chamber of Commerce. "A lot of new vendors, activities, entertainment and the food! The food is definatly going to be different than in years before. Chuckwagon BBQ, fresh hand dipped corn dogs and onion rings. I can't wait!"

When Festival landed the internationally-lauded Misty River to its entertainment roster, corresponding with the launch of a new website you can view by CLICKING HERE, calls for people wanting to be involved on every level, from volunteers to teams wanting to sign on for Orting's first ever 'Cover Your Wagon' street races.

FairRewards, a business usually seen at events like The Puyallup Fair, Bite of Seattle, and many other larger events, will be on site this year as well, rewarding visitors with prizes from vendors and businesses participating in Festival in the Park.

"It's such a good way to meet some of the new businesses in town like several new pre-schools." said Klingenberg, "Around The Corner Cafe is sponsoring a pie-eating contest, their will be a 'Sidewalk Cafe' set up at The Park Bench, REI is not only a major sponsor but they're also going to have bike techs on hand fiving FREE bike tune ups. Orting Christian Church is going to throw a couple "Corn Eating Contests". That's just good 'ole fun no matter how you slice it!"

"When people see that people want to get involved and be a part of it, it all starts coming together. August 16th will be a great day for Orting on so many levels."

Klingenberg said Festival In The Park is always looking for volunteers as the festival grows more and more. They're still in need of volunteers to help at the U-Fish Tank, Wagon Judges, work the Wine Tasting Booth, help with the talent at the two stages set up for entertainment, runners for the food court, and helping with the Foothills Trail Coalition 5K they're adding a 'One Mile Pet Stroll' to the event and they've already received calls with people bringing horses, dogs, iguanas, llamas, and other 'pets'. "It's going to be so much fun for everybody just to be a part of!"

Should You Like To Volunteer You or Your Group: There will be a meeting for Festival in the Park, Friday, August 8, 12:00, Monday, August 11, 12:30 am and another on Wednesday August 13, same time...where else, but at The Park where Festival In The Park promises to further solidify itself as an authentic small town celebration of community.