August 08, 2025
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Cool, free fun at McKinley Park Festival

Creston Parks and Recreation board partners with local businesses to offer a family fun for free to the community

By SARAH SCULL

Trent Newton of Corning poses with a fish he caught July 29, 2017, during free fish day, part of the 13th annual McKinley Park Festival. (CNA file)

Building on the success from past years, Creston Parks and Recreation is hosting the 15th Annual McKinley Park Festival 9:15 a.m. to dusk Saturday.

Parks and Rec volunteer Rich Paulsen said the event is a way to showcase all that the park has to offer – both on and off the water.

“We want people to want to use the park and the best way to do that is to have some activities there to show it off,” said Paulsen.

In its heyday, McKinley Lake and surrounding park hosted activities such as water skiing, boating, canoeing, swimming and fishing, while a beach house sat at its shore, which was later used to host community gatherings and dances. The Parks and Rec Board hope to remind those who don’t regularly utilize the park’s current amenities of what it offers, and to showcase its full potential to the larger community.

Festival activities

Saturday’s activities will kickoff with a free kids fishing derby. Kids must supply their own pole for the event, but each participant who registers between 9:15 and 10 a.m. will receive free night crawlers, bobbers and hooks. Winners will be awarded in the following age groups: 7 and under, 8 to 11 years old, and 12 to 16 years old. Registration for this event will be held at the lake, across from the swimming pool.

New this year is a water slide by Zap Entertainment.

“It’s a brand new, 20-foot inflatable slide that is good for both kids and adults,” said Paulsen.

In addition to this inflatable, the inflatable park will feature a 70 foot obstacle course, complete with a game of water tag.

“Water tag has water guns that are used to suck up water. There’s inflatables you can hide behind and then there’s water tanks around the area, so you can fill up and go,” said Paulsen. Hoses will be attached to the water tanks to keep them filled.

Additionally, festival goers can get Henna paining, view Creston Fire Department’s fire trucks, and tour the Union County Historical Complex.

Food

Festival goers will be treated to a hot dog cookout at no charge from noon to 1 p.m. Creston Farmers Market will offer fresh produce and baked good by local farmers and bakers from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sugar Rush Ice Cream Truck will be parked on site.

MPAC

Free swimming will be offered at the McKinley Park Aquatic Center from 1 to 5 p.m. The MPAC committee will be hosting a pick up game of kick ball at McKinley Ball field. Participants are encouraged to make a free will donation to MPAC.

Movie in the Park

Individuals are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs to McKinley Park for an outdoor movie in the park – “Ralph Breaks the Internet” – 8:30 p.m. Saturday near the band shell. Attendees to the movie, sponsored by Crossroads Behavioral Health Services, Great Western Bank, and Hy-vee, will receive free popcorn, popsicles and water. There is no charge to attend the movie.

Sponsors and info

This event is sponsored by Creston Iowa Amusement, Creston Parks and Recreation Department, Creston Publishing Company, Dad’s Bait Shop, First National Bank, High Lakes Alliance, Iowa State Savings Bank and Tyler Insurance Services, Inc. All proceeds of this event go to the McKinley Park Restoration Fund.