TRADITION RUNS DEEP: 15TH ANNUAL WAYNEDALE COMMUNITY PICNIC
The 15th Annual Waynedale Community Picnic is so close you can almost hear the laughter and fun happening at Waynedale Park. The picnic organizers, Megan Ryan and Maria Sutherland are excited to be able to gather the community together for another year of such a fun event that has surely become one of Waynedale’s greatest traditions in the last decade.
“The Waynedale Community Picnic is about more than just playing games, winning prizes, and eating hot dogs,” said Ryan “It’s about setting aside a special day each year to bring together the Waynedale community to share in one another’s company, neighborly love, laughter and fun,” she continued. This is an event that embodies the Waynedale spirit and pride. “The people of Waynedale have a lot to be proud of and it’s nice to be able to organize an event that allows everyone to celebrate our community,” said Sutherland.
With all of the new projects happing around Waynedale, there truly is a lot to celebrate. The sidewalk and trails initiative is in motion and progressing quickly, as well as the planning stages for the Corridor project being well under way. “All this excitement around Waynedale makes me even more eager for August 26th to get here!” said Ryan.
The most amazing part about the entire Waynedale Community Picnic is the sole fact that it is 100% sponsored and funded by local businesses! This is a true testament to the community of Waynedale and a prime example of how the people and businesses support one another. Starting in April, the event organizers begin reaching out to local businesses to see how they can help. “Well over 100 local businesses have stepped up to the plate this year and contributed generously to this time honored tradition,” shared Ryan.
All of the sponsors help in numerous ways. From donating in a monetary fashion to donating their time and talents, all of the businesses involved should be proud of being a part of something so important to our community. When you’re enjoying FREE lunch the day of the picnic, remember to thank a few important businesses who make it happen: Pizza Hut, The Stand, Costco, Bandidos, and Ellison Bakery. It’s not often that you find an event that feeds over 2,000 people for free! And, as you listen and enjoy the live and local music, be sure to thank the sound technicians from Circle City Audio who donate their equipment, time, and talents to bring you tunes and “We can’t forget The Waynedale News,” said Sutherland, “They are instrumental in helping us advertise, design graphics, print, and organize the logistics!” Yes! Automotive, Hansen Aggregates, Robinson Family Eyecare Clinic, and Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 248 all contributed generously as Overall Sponsors to support the 15th Annual Waynedale Community Picnic, allowing for a day of absolute fun!
“The picnic, although started over 15 years ago, has become my favorite annual event. I love connecting throughout the year with the local businesses, working hard to plan a day for my community, and helping to bring people together,” stated Ryan proudly. Waynedale Strong!
LOOKING FOR ANOTHER PIECE OF WAYNEDALE MEMORABILIA?
As a fundraiser, The Waynedale Community Picnic will be selling Wayedale Picnic t-shirts at the picnic for $12! Or save $2 and pick up your t-shirt before the event at The Waynedale News (2505 Lower Huntington Road) for just $10.
PLAY, EXPLORE & ENJOY ACTIVITIES
The Waynedale Community Picnic, which we all know is a rich tradition within our community, is a day jam packed with fun for all ages! This family friendly event is, as always, full of some of our old favorites, but this year we also have some new features that we are excited to share with you!
New this year!
Live, Local Music
Bring your blankets, grab your folding chairs, charge your cameras and get your dancing feet ready! This year, for your listening pleasure, you will be serenaded by the wonderful music of Kevin Hambrick followed by the music of local band, Trophy Club! Hambrick, guitarist and lead vocals of local band Orange Opera, will be sharing his gift of music with the Waynedale Community as he warms up the crowd for an afternoon of great jams. Trophy Club will take it from there and spend the rest of the afternoon getting us on our feet! Trophy Club (Jared Andrews- Keys/Vocals, George Gardner- guitar/vocals, Zach Kerschner- bass/vocals, and Cale Gerst- drums/vocals) uses their creativity around the Fort Wayne area participating in many local music and arts scenes. This will be their first performance in Waynedale!
Science Exploration Tent
This year, we are pleased to introduce our Science Exploration Tent! A place where discovery can be made! Kids and adults will have a chance to see a live rescue bat from “Going Bats,” learn about the wetlands with Little River Wetlands, explore the honey bees through a live observation hive with Southwest Honey Co., build a robot with computers and the help of Sylvan Learning, and get cozy with live critters from the Critter Crew. We hope this new feature will satisfy all the adventurers at heart, while at the same time providing our community the opportunity for some outdoor science education.
Oldies But Goodies!
Splashpad
Don’t forget your sunscreen and bathing suits! The splashpad will be in full swing the day of the picnic and ready for you to cool off in! This is a feature of the Waynedale Park that was added years ago after an effort from some motivated community members to petition for the park to receive a splashpad. Since it’s installation, each and every day of the summer, the sound of children’s voices can be heard enjoying the splashpad as they cool off in the heat!
BINGO
Yes, that’s right… BINGO! One of the adult favorites of this annual event, the BINGO tent will be up and running and ready for you to win some great prizes donated by our local community businesses and organizations. Adults and children over the age of 12 may participate in this fun activity. This year the BINGO tent will be run and operated by generous volunteers from Public Service Credit Union. Be sure to get your BINGO tickets at the registration table when you arrive (limit: 2 tickets per person).
Kids Games
Calling all Kids! There will be a number of interactive games and activities for the kids! Each child will receive 6 tickets upon entering the picnic that can be used to participate in any 6 games they choose. Each child must be present in the registration line to receive his or her tickets. There will also be a giant blow up obstacle course from the Army National Guard. What a great way to burn off some energy and challenge yourself to complete the course!
Local Vendors
Don’t forget to check out the vendor ring! Over 30 local companies and organizations will be represented the day of the Waynedale Community Picnic. This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know those businesses that surround the place where you live, work and play. Many businesses are eager to meet you and share what they are doing in and around the Waynedale Community.
Don’t forget! Be sure to check in at the registration table when you arrive to receive your food tickets, kids game tickets, Bingo tickets, and door prize entries. You will need these tickets to receive FREE lunch, participate in Bingo, play kids games, and enter in the great door prize drawings.
THANKS TO OVER 100 ORGANIZATIONS WHO MADE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE!
2017 OVERALL SPONSORS INCLUDE: The Waynedale News, Circle City Audio, Hanson Aggregates, Yes! Automotive, Fraternal Order of Eagles Post #248 & Robinson Family Eyecare Clinic.
2017 TITLE SPONSORS INCLUDE: 3 Rivers Federal Credit Union, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Army National Guard, Aunt Millie’s Bakery, Avalon Place Civic Association, Azar’s Big Boy, Bandidos, Bridges Property Management, Inc., Brightpoint, Broadview Florist, Care Point Academy, COSTCO, Dairy Queen, Dance Ltd., Ellison Bakery, Englewood Health and Rehab Center, EPCO Products Inc, First Source Bank, Fort Wayne Area Sheet Metal Workers Union, Local 20, GraphX Direct/ JW Signs, Kingston Residence of Fort Wayne, Little River Wetlands, Marquart’s Custom Creations, MDWise, MidWest America Federal Credit Union, Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, Nailed it by Gibbs, Northeast Indiana Building Trades, PHD Inc, Pizza Hut, Public Service Credit Union, Southwest Assembly of God, Star Financial Bank, Sylvan Learning of Fort Wayne, The Stand “Coney’s and Cream”, Three Rivers Ambulance Authority, Wayne Township Trustee, Waynedale Cub Scouts Pack 3344, Waynedale Lion’s Club, Waynedale United Methodist Church
& A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF THE SIGNAGE SPONSORS, DONORS AND VENDORS.
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