GALENA — Family fun and community outreach under beautiful blue skies was the order of the day for Galena’s annual Dogwood Festival.
On Saturday, plenty of vendors ventured out to Galena Town Park where it was held. As normal, the parade kicked off the event. Horse riders, graduates of Rock Hall High School, shriners and clowns marched down the street.
After that, Mayor John Carroll could be spotted running the money blowing machine, which was a fun new attraction. He was grateful for the nice weather. Last year the rain kept some people away and some vendors as well, he stated.
This year the whole walking trail was full of vendors selling everything from jewelry, natural soap, t-shirts, trinkets and artwork.
This year, council member Sarah Merrell pointed out there were some other new attractions.
For instance, chainsaw wielding artist, RJ Torres cut out a grizzly bear from a block of wood. He’s has been doing chainsaw art for 20 years, and said when he started, he was just young enough to think he could do it.
This year they had the Rolling 911 Memorial by The Hope and Peace Foundation, created in remembrance and honor of the 69 Marylanders killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
The mobile fish unit courtesy of Wharf Environmental Center was also a big hit along with the inflatable play area, bouncy house and the park’s playground equipment by Jump on Over, event and party equipment rentals.
Another big hit with kids and adults alike was the entertainment stylings of Crickett who taught the audience how to balance plates on a stick. Then he didn’t shirk off any comedic timing as he balanced on a barrel while juggling knives.
The 4-H club brought a goat and bunnies to their petting zoo.
Those who stuck around for Dogwood After Dark got to see people do their darnedest to stay on a mechanical bull while enjoying drinks from the Beer Cart.
Although it’s hard to determine how many people were there the entire day, around 2 p.m., vendor coordinator Caralisa Carpenter estimated roughly 1200 people showed up to take part in the festivities.
Event coordinator Jodi Novak, said she was excited for the turnout and the good weather too.
She said all proceeds go to planning and paying for the next Dogwood Festival.
In addition, Merrell was very thankful for two big donations allowing them to have two automated external defibrillators, used to help in the event of a sudden cardiac arrest.
On the town’s Facebook post, the organizers extended a heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined them.
The festival has been an outdoor annual tradition of Galena since 1984.
“We can’t wait to see you next year for even more forgettable moments,” replied the Dogwood Festival Committee.
Most Popular
Comments / 0