Published: June 28, 2009 11:58 pm      

Coney crowd out for Sunday in Park

Event part of Georges Creek Days

LONACONING — The turnout might not have been as big as previous years, with fear of rain and a slightly overcast day, but the spirit of community remained at Sunday in the Park.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for the people along Georges Creek to get together,” said Deborah Bittinger of Lonaconing. “I’ve seen better turnouts other years. I think the overcast day is why, but the music is great.”

The event, which is part of the weeklong Georges Creek Days, is always a big draw for the community, with all ages coming to look over the crafts, eat the food and enjoy the games. The plans for the Lonaconing Heritage House and some examples of the history of the area were also on display at the park, near the location of the house donated by local historian Mary Meyers.

Jenna Beeman of Lonaconing said she liked just about everything at the event. Her favorite part, she said, was the moon bounce, but she liked the music and food, too.

Her mother, Mandy, said Jenna had been asking her all day if it was time to go down to the park yet.

Though the turnout seemed a bit smaller to some, Lonaconing Mayor Nicholas Hadley said he was impressed with the number that were at the Iron Furnace Park. This was Hadley’s first year at the event as mayor, though he had been to it many times before in the past. Though it hasn’t been drastically different, it has been a change for him.

“I see it from a different perspective,” he said. “More people are coming up to me, talking to me this year.”

For the members of the Georges Creek Cruisers, the event was a nice follow-up to their car cruise on Friday. Jim Warnick said Sunday in the Park is one of the events that ties in with all of Georges Creek Days. He said one of his favorite parts is when local businesses put up old photos and Central High School memorabilia in their front windows. He said he enjoyed the music and food as well.

Fellow cruiser Jo Ann Spiker said she enjoyed the opportunity to talk with people she doesn’t always get to see throughout the year.

Other groups at Sunday in the Park said the event is just part of several more to come in the following weeks.

The Good Will Fire Company keeps busy during this time of year, President John Shockey said.

“It’s a very busy weekend for the fire department and the auxiliary,” he said. “We had the Central Alumni Dinner last night. That just rolls into today and then we have the (July 3) fireworks. We’re very busy. From the fireworks, we and our award-winning auxiliary will be doing our street time on (July) 10th.”

Catherine Ann Jenkins of the Morning Star Temple No. 1 Pythian Sisters said her organization was gearing up for Music on the Mountain on July 19 and then a 500 drawing on Aug. 1. All of which, she added, including the bake sale and raffle at the park on Sunday, would go to the Crippled Children’s League.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.