By Shawn Stinson
Town officials were worried when there was a rain shower on the morning of the second annual Summer Fun Fest.
Those concerns quickly evaporated when the sun broke through and shined on the Town of Franklin Park.
Elizabeth Scott, Franklin’s assistant business manager, said the feedback from the event was very positive. Last year’s event was called Family Fun Day but was changed this year to reflect the addition of adult-themed activities, including a beer garden and axe throwing.
“Everyone said it was very good,” Scott said. “It was a successful event. It turned out to be a great day.”
Town officials estimated there were 400 or more individuals who attended the event at some time during the day. Scott said she counted at least 250 people under the tent listening to musical performances by Justin Hensley and Spencer Hatcher and the Ol Son Gang, throwing axes or standing in line at one of the food vendors.
Scott added there were nearly 300 people at last year’s event. She said this year’s event was more “spread out” and “not everyone was confined to one area.”
Event attendees could listen to the musical performances at the main pavilion, swim at the town pool, have fun on one of the inflatables near the pool, throw an axe in the middle of the park, shop at the handful of vendors near the tennis courts, purchase something to eat at one of the food vendors or grab a drink at the beer garden on the tennis courts.
Tessa Mitchell, owner of the WV Inflatables, posted on town’s Facebook page she and her employees enjoyed the event. “First trip to Franklin and I must say, the best group of kids (and parents) we have ever dealt with,” she wrote. “Beautiful town and some wonderful people.”
Scott said the planning has started on next year’s event. She wants to maintain the third Saturday in July date and may alter the hours to avoid conflict with other events in the county.
