‘More pork, less tornados’

With games, bacon and music, the 13th annual Party in the Park fundraiser in Creston is just around the corner.

Party in the Park is slated for 6 p.m. June 22 at the McKinley Park band shell. The bands performing this year are The Pork Tornadoes, Bird Child and The New Mexicos.

The bands

Bird Child is a five-member cover band from Iowa City that specializes in Top 40 hits. The New Mexicos of Des Moines is a country duo that includes classic rock songs and some original music within its set.

The Pork Tornadoes – or as the biography on their website states, “The hottest party band in Iowa and maybe Wisconsin” – will be headlining this year’s festival. The four-member band from Cedar Falls covers pop and rock songs from all eras.

‘More pork, less tornadoes’

Inspired by its headlining act, The Pork Tornadoes, Party in the Park organizers came up with the theme of this year’s Party in the Park: “More pork, less tornadoes.”

For those who love bacon, local restaurants will be serving 10 different pork-themed foods at the event, such as bacon wrapped shrimp and maple bacon cupcakes.

This is Sam Baird’s second year serving on the committee with Creston’s Board of Parks and Recreation, which organizes the annual event. Baird said last year’s addition of yard games was well received and this year, organizers plan to add more.

“There is a lot of work that goes into planning events like this,” Baird said. “For starters, since it is a summer event, we had to start booking the bands early in the fall. We have to get our sponsors and food all figured out; we hire a professional sound team.”

Park improvements

John Kawa, chairman of the board for Creston Parks and Recreation Department, is appreciative of the event’s sponsors, which without, the event wouldn’t be possible. The budget for the event hovers near $20,000 and all proceeds go toward the betterment of Creston’s parks.

“Since this is a fundraiser, every dollar always goes back into the parks,” Kawa said. “Right now, we are finishing the walking trail and working on McKinley Lake, so all of the money this year will go towards those projects.”

Information

Party in the Park is scheduled for 6 p.m. June 22, with gates opening at 5 p.m.

The event is for ages 16 and up and identification is required for admission at the gate.

Tickets are on presale now for $15 at A&G Restaurant, Creston News Advertiser, Hy-Vee Dollar Fresh, Jane Brown Physical Therapy and Stalker Chevrolet in Creston, and at Rumors in Mt. Ayr.

Tickets at the gate will be $20. Veterans and active service members will be admitted for free with tickets available at the Union County Office of Veterans Affairs, and can be reserved by calling 641-782-1723. Food tickets may be purchased for $10 at the event and each ticket has five punches for food items during the event.

For more information, follow McKinley Park Restoration on Facebook.