Looking back at 2021
The year of 2021 found us with both stops and starts with events for Eskridge Park Foundation. We weren’t able to host our Bingo or Trivia Night fundraisers due to COVID precautions, but we still managed to host some pretty fun events in our beautiful park.
Here is a summary of all that happened in 2021:
March- Annie Compton, our board president, created a stunning new website for us! It is filled with historical information, upcoming events, ways to become involved with the Park Foundation, and lots more. Please check out the whole website if you haven’t already!
April and May- Thanks to the Heritage Trust Fund Grant and Riley Construction, our bandstand was completely renovated and repaired. New roof, new footings and railings, new stairs and new paint. It looks fabulous!
On Easter Saturday, we hosted the Annual Easter egg hunt with a great turnout and, of course, the Easter Bunny.
On May Day (May 1st) our EPF board and kids covered the town of Eskridge with May Day baskets. We think it’s as much fun to give as to receive!
June- The first month of summer brought out the usual summer events and some new ones. The Summer Reading Program with our library began, and Bible School was held in the Park. Also this was the first year the Park hosted a monthly Farmers’ Market, which will be returning this summer.
July- Hot and busy with a chance of thunderstorms! On July 4th, we hosted the 40th annual Turtle Races for the kids of Eskridge. This event has been organized by Diane Turnbull and Paul Langley for all 40 years and everyone loves it. They say this was their last turtle race. Will someone else take the next 40 years? The park board handed out grilled hotdogs and chips for free to everyone who attended.
On July 11th (one day late due to storms) we had a great Bandstand Celebration with our collaborators, Ann and Marvin Hunt of House Rent Records and Max Paley of Americana Music Academy. The EPF had a rededication ceremony for the newly restored Bandstand.
October- The event we all waited two years for- Eskridge Fall Festival- was held in the Park on October 30! So much planning went in to this event with moving it from downtown to the Park but it was worth it. The weather was perfect for the car show, food trucks, live music, craft vendors, inflatables, and lots more. We had hundreds of visitors throughout the day and everyone had a wonderful time.
November- One of our Park neighbors passed away in October- Charlie Waugh, and part of the memorial funds were given to the Eskridge Park Foundation. What an honor to receive these gifts! We can’t wait to put them to good use.
As we look forward to our events in 2022, please know that we do these things for you and because of you. We have come so far with your contributions and attendance at our events. This year we are bringing back Bingo nights, a summer concert, a capital campaign called Leave a Legacy, and new playground equipment!
Also if you would like to volunteer for any of our events, we really could use the help. Our board is small and mighty, but very busy. Some specific things you could help with are Bingo nights, Easter egg hunt, Turtle Races, Summer Concert, building the playground, and Fall Festival.
Thank you so much for supporting the Eskridge Park Foundation!
