NEWS

ONE HUNDRED AND TEN VENDORS AT FESTIVAL IN THE PARK

By: Rich Carr August 15, 2008

AND, that's before you add the 3 on 3 Basketball Teams, Wagon Races, Pinewood Derby Races, Pet Stroll, 5K, fans of the bands, fish in the trout pond, the lines at FairRewards...!

Coordinator Debora Klingenberg and her army of volunteers, coordinators, and sponsors have taken this regional gem of an event and transformed it into a celebration of community. It's become an event other towns wish to emulate, nearby communities want to visit and be a part of, and all area residents plan their weekends around.

However, all those other areas are missing one thing: They're not Orting.

"This is one very good example of how ‘Home Town America’ keeps from dying off, becoming extinct, and/or endangered. Festivals are for communities to define themselves and highlight their own while sharing our gifts of community and pride with visitors." said Klingenberg.

As Seattle news media like KING 5 news, as well as radio stations, newspapers, blogs and regional websites started picking up on the hometown excitement, more and more interest started to pour in to Festival In The Park.

At this week's Orting Chamber of Commerce it was announced that there were 110 vendors already reserved throughout downtown and the park, and that headliner Misty River not only has a contingent of fans coming but businesses setting up shop in the park to support the band!

As Klingenberg was walking through town checking on last minute details to see if there was anything she could do to assist them in preparing for the influx of people and traffic downtown Saturday, Orting News asked if we could help. Her reply?

"Feel free to contact me, any other Chamber of Commerce member or city official regarding this, we would love to have you down for some fresh valley corn on the cob, a wagon race, bbq and great music! Hoping we see you on Saturday."