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ALL ARE INVITED TO THE WAYNEDALE COMMUNITY PICNIC ON SATURDAY, AUG. 25

The Waynedale Community Picnic is celebrating its 16th year! For those who have never attended the picnic or are new to Waynedale, you are in for a treat!

The picnic is a favorite tradition that Waynedale community members look forward to attending each year. The picnic is a free, family-friendly event that feeds and entertains more than 2,000 Waynedale guests.

This year, a huge thank you goes out to Allen County Sheriff Department, Circle City Audio, Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 248, Hanson’s Aggregates Midwest, The Waynedale News, Waynewood Inn, Yes! Automotive and Robinson Family Eyecare Clinic for stepping up as our overall event sponsors and supporting this time-honored tradition! Along with our overall sponsors, many thanks go out to over 100 local businesses and organizations that have donated and sponsored the picnic in many different ways. Year after year, without the loyal support of the businesses in the area that donate time, talents, prizes, support and monetary donations this “community togetherness” event would not be possible.

As the event coordinator and lead organizer of the picnic, Megan Ryan, special education teacher at Towles Montessori shared, “I am honored to be a part of such a rich tradition here in Waynedale and I’m looking forward to the picnic, once again! As always, it has been a lot of work but it will be worth it to see all the people come out and enjoy a day dedicated just to the community!”

This is Ryan’s fourth year directing the picnic since it was started 16 years ago by Beulah Matczak and Cheryl Connett. Ryan couldn’t do it alone. Her right-hand gal this year, Maria Sutherland, stepped in to assist in the planning and coordinating volunteers for the event. “Maria has done a wonderful job, dedicating her time to helping me with all the details and planning that goes into such a large-scale event,” Ryan continued, “I am incredibly grateful to have such a kind and passionate person to help along the way.”

Ryan and Sutherland are excited to be introducing a couple of features this year. Sutherland shared, “We will be having a Science Exploration Tent again this year for children and adults to use their curiosity to explore some different areas of science.” The “Science Exploration Tent” will host many local organizations such as Little River Wetlands, Southwest Honey Co., Sylvan Robotics, and Critter Crew. Also this year, a local band, Adam Strack Band, will be performing live. Get your dancing shoes ready! There’s nothing better than a little live music while you’re enjoying a hot dog and watching the community come together!

The Waynedale Community Picnic encourages guests of all ages to come to enjoy the event. There will be something for everyone to enjoy at the picnic. As always, along with the new additions this year, there will be a free lunch, bingo with prizes, children’s games, face painting, emergency vehicle on display, and many vendors from the area.

Don’t forget! Stop at the registration table when you arrive to receive your meal tickets and information about the day’s events.

Whether you are new to Waynedale or have attended every picnic since its existence, mark your calendars! The 16th Annual Waynedale Community Picnic will be held at the Waynedale Park on August 25 from 10:00am-3:00pm.

If you would like more information regarding the Picnic, you can visit: waynedale.com/picnic


AUGUST 25, 2018
10:00am – Doors Open
10:45am – 1st Game of Bingo
11:00am – Lunch
NOON – Live Band Starts
Emergency Vehicle
Tours At Select Times

ALL DAY ATTRACTIONS
Face Painting
Exploration Science Tent
Splashpad Fun
Music
Kids Games & Prizes
Vendor Meet & Greet
Local Mascots

GENEROUS SPONSORS!
Each year, the picnic organizers reach out to the businesses and organizations in the Waynedale area to help put on this free and fun community event! Each and every year, they respond positively and generously! This year, over 100 Waynedale businesses contributed to the 16th Annual Waynedale Community Picnic. Please thank the sponsors by shopping or using their services as they’ve extended themselves to make sure you’ve had a great time at the event.


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!

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 The Adam Strack Band! The cover band performs a variety of styles including classic rock, alternative rock, reggae, country, and bluegrass. Adam comes from a family of musicians that played as a family band for a decade in the 90’s and has been performing in front of live audiences for over 25 years.

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 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.

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.

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 free food tickets, kids game tickets and Bingo tickets. You will need these tickets to receive FREE lunch, participate in Bingo and play kids games.


Waynedale Picnic 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.


The Waynedale News Staff
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