Basic HTML Version
4
PARTY IN THE PARK
July 18, 2013
ball — food, music, exhibitions and other
family-friendly activities will be in abun-
dance.
“This family-oriented, active, outdoor
event really showcases so many of the ele-
ments that make our district successful,”
notes park district General Manager Doug
Menke. “It connects people with their fami-
lies, friends and community.”
Most of the day’s events take place from 11
a.m. to 5 p.m., except the car show, which runs
from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Family Triath-
lon, which starts at 9 a.m. and includes a
50-yard swim, a 2-mile bike ride and a 1/3-mile
foot race.
The Beaverton International Celebration,
which debuted in 2011, has quickly become a
key component of the party, Wayt says. Coor-
dinated by the city of Beaverton, the celebra-
tion pays tribute to the Beaverton area’s di-
verse population, with two stages featuring
distinctive music, dance and art, comple-
mented by crafts, food, dress and information
from representatives of many of the area’s
ethnic communities.
With a lineup of activities similar to last
year’s event, which drew 7,500 visitors, Wayt
expects as many or more people this year. Of-
ferings are pretty similar to last year’s, for
the simple fact that people made it clear they
like them.
“We’ve found a pretty suc-
cessful formula here. It’s kind
of evolved over time,” he says.
“We decided to bring back
most of the family favorites this
year because the feedback
about them has been so posi-
tive.”
The ongoing event grew out
of the park district’s 50th anni-
versary celebration in 2005. An-
chored by a classic car show,
the party featured plenty of
fanfare to pay tribute to
THPRD founder Elsie Stuhr
and her visionary, parks-loving
partners.
“It was well received, so we decided to do it
again the following year,” Wayt says, noting
the Family Triathlon was added the next
year. “At that point, in 2006, it was decided we
should have a big community event each
year. There wasn’t at the time a kind of large,
significant event for the Beaverton area, so
the park district came up with the idea of a
Party in the Park.”
The car show will display vintage automo-
biles, trucks and motorcycles on grass fields
behind the Tualatin Hills Athletic Center. Mu-
sical entertainment comes courtesy of Sol-
Mars from 10 a.m. to noon, and The Shifterz
from 1 to 3 p.m.
One event that was added after
the party turned into an annual
event came from Mike Janin, the
district’s superintendent of secu-
rity operations, who proposed a
showcase of the Beaverton Police
Department’s K-9 Unit. A retired
police officer with the city, Janin
figured families — and particu-
larly children — would enjoy see-
ing the dogs’ talents in action.
“Each year when the dogs per-
form, the crowd numbers several
hundred for that one-hour show,”
Wayt says of the event that starts
at noon. “People enjoy that opportunity to see
what the dogs do.” Officers make the dogs
available to approach and pet, and the dog-
handling officers offer autographed photos.
“It’s made for another really positive expe-
rience for those who attend the Party in the
Park,” Wayt adds. “It appeals not only to kids
but also adults.”
The array of activities that await children
after 11 a.m. include giant inflatable play
structures, climbing walls, arts and crafts,
and face painting. The park district’s Rec Mo-
bile and Nature Mobile will provide super-
vised sports and arts programs, games and
environmental education.
When Party in the Park day arrives — usu-
ally bringing sunny, pleasant weather along
with it — the obvious community together-
ness and enjoyment is worth the work that
district staff put into the event.
“It’s a lot of fun for us, as the THPRD staff,
to walk around the complex and see all the
smiles, the joy and the activities we do bring
to the area,” Wayt says. “It reaffirms why we
in the park district are in this business.”
TIMES FILE PHOTOS: JOHN LARIVIERE
Jack Bell, 2, climbs over an inflatable structure while his father Jason videos the event during the Party in the Park. Below, Karenna Umscheid and her
mother Paris receive medals for finishing the Family Triathlon from Sharon Hoffmeister and a volunteer.
Party:
Pays
tribute to
Beaverton’s
diverse people
■
From page 3
“Each year
when the dogs
perform, the
crowd numbers
several hundred
for that one-
hour show.”
— Bob Wayt,
communications director