THANK YOU FOR A DAY TOGETHER – Letter To The Editor
To the Waynedale Community,
THANK YOU for making our inaugural Walk In Waynedale a success! During a wrap meeting Monday with our dedicated committee members, we estimated that well over 1,200 people attended this new event.
Due to outgrowing Waynedale Park and with a desire to put a strong emphasis on our recent Bluffton Road Trails and Sidewalks, a “Walk In Waynedale” was born. Change CAN be good. By closing the road between Interlaken and Old Trail, we were able to highlight numerous businesses, (over 100 in total) that regularly support Waynedale events. We stressed the initiative that walking and riding bikes is good for a healthy lifestyle. But most of all we had FUN!
Star Bank sponsored a Chalk Walk that showed off the creativity in our budding artists. The Science Tent explored the benefits of honeybees and rehabbing hawks. Children got their faces painted and played with huge bubble wands. Kids climbed into the Hair Affair water balloon wading pool and watched in awe as an artist painted a colorful new mural on their building.
There were opportunities to eat at any number of convenient Waynedale restaurants along the route or to try appetizing new creations from the three food trucks on hand (the pulled pork nachos were amazing!). The crowd was able to amble along to the upbeat tunes of The Adam Strack Band at Midwest America FCU or scramble upon a fire truck. They learned about Fort Wayne Police remote operated robots and drones and military vehicles from the National Guard. Numerous individuals commented on just how remarkable it felt to be in the middle of a normally busy road!
Bikes, strollers and wagons were colorfully decorated with patriotic fanfare and flaunted in a bike parade that ran the concourse of the event. And folks visited the vendors, enjoying the many amenities such as free trinkets and giveaways, samples of food and many interactive games including a dunk tank, corn hole, and much more.
Hundreds of people completed the “Passport” that led them to different sponsors up and down the street, and once completed, were turned in for a chance to win terrific prizes from local businesses. 33 winners were notified by phone on Sunday and Monday.
We encourage you to check out our Facebook page, “Walk in Waynedale” and view the video and pictures taken by the talented, Ray Steup. Pictures tell the story of a glorious, sunny, summer afternoon in Waynedale.
Without the support of our amazing committee, this event would have never happened. Please indulge us as we recognize these faithful members who devoted seven months of effort to the event. Gary Brennan, Winterset Addition; Alex Cornwell, The Waynedale News; Megan Custer, Star Bank; Erin Floyd, Lakewood Park; Jeremy Gerardot, Walgreens; Anita Kowalski, Winterset Addition; Beulah Matczak, American Legion Post 241; Carissa Mitchell, Hair Affair; and Casey Mitchell, 3 Rivers Federal Credit Union. We welcome interested potential members to join our team for next year.
Additionally, a huge shout out to ALL the businesses who good naturedly let us close the road to host the event especially John Glosson who let us use his plaza and grassy lot.
Will we repeat Walk In Waynedale again? In a word, YES! But we are moving the date. So, mark your calendars now for Saturday, August 29, 2020. We will tweak some features, perhaps add some new ones, but rest assured, the show will go on. Because just like you, we and our hard-working committee love the Waynedale Community and enjoy seeing our smiling neighbors having a good time.
From The Co-Chairs of Walk In Waynedale 2019,
Camille Garrison & Megan Ryan
> Read Full Biography
> More Articles Written By This Writer
- Local Families Volunteer Together To Fight Hunger - November 24, 2023
- Neighbors Volunteer At Community Harvest SeniorPak Program - September 1, 2023
- Two Local Churches Add Community Recreation ~ Community Spotlight - October 21, 2022