Saturday in the Park welcomes families and neighbors

CHESTERTOWN — Saturday at the Park was an enjoyable family event assisted by perfect weather. Over a blue sky next to a serene Chester River, adults and children had plenty of activities to partake in.

Organized by the Chestertown Recreation Commission while partnering with the Kent County Health Department, the day offered live music, food, free popcorn, snow cones and water bottles and activities for the kids.

This is the third year having this event, and each time the commission comes up with innovative ideas to engage the community.

Secretary of the commission Danielle Cudone talked of the new activities this year, pointing out the giant-sized Connect Four game, Backyard Jenga and the Pollinator Cafe run by the Chestertown Garden Club.

She was pleased with the turnout, estimating about 100 people attended as of 1:30 p.m. Around 4 p.m., member Dwight Zilinskas had added about 50 to that number. At the face painter table, member and artist/gallery owner Inez Santori said 75 kids came through.

The dunk machine was new as well and a big hit. Children and teens who missed the target the first time, ran up and pushed the button anyway sending the person in the cage splashing, eliciting laughter.

Young and older adults alike also enjoyed kayaking, volleyball, bocce ball and cornhole.

While people enjoyed those, Stu Gray ran the music portion in an Open Mic set-up featuring eight acts of varying styles, from folk music, to classic rock and grunge covers.

Moving forward, commission Chair Jim Bogden and members are asking for more participants and volunteers. Cudone remarked it would be beneficial to have organizations running the sports, thinking there could be better engagement that way.

Maybe even certain teams in Chestertown could have rivalries with other teams, Zilinskas suggested.

On call were members of the The Kent and Queen Anne’s Rescue Squad who had an easy day, with the gentle breeze keeping heat injuries at bay.

Gray and Zilinskas came up with the Saturday in the Park idea to be focused on health and wellness and music, sports, recreation — keeping the vendor numbers low provided enough space for everyone to participate.

Snow cones, cotton candy, juice boxes, sodas, and waters were sold by Girl Scout Troop 330.

And people got free popcorn.

Bogden sees Saturday in the Park as an excellent endorsement for the town.

“We want to make this event another reason why Chestertown’s a wonderful place to raise a family,” he added, anticipating more events like this to come.