Party in the Park will be held Saturday at Douglas Park

By Ashley Rader

There will be a Party in the Park this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Douglas Park as the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department hosts their first Party in the Park event.

The Party in the Park is a partnership between the Parks and Rec Department, the Elizabethton Twins and volunteers in the Douglas community. The party will feature inflatable rides, a dunk tank, face painting, a free throw contest, a frisbee throw contest and a home run derby contest. The free throw contest, frisbee throw and home run derby will have competitions for children age 5-7, 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13. There will be prizes for the winners.

Entertainment will be provided by Mr. Bill and Bodie along with DJ Redd. Members of the Elizabethton Twins will also attend. Lunch will be provided by Douglas Community members.

Director of Parks and Rec Mike Mains said the department had been planning the Party in the Park for the last few months, but had been looking into expanding their presence in the community for a while. He said the department and the Twins are anticipating getting out in the community and getting involved.

“This is one of those events we do look forward to,” Mains said. “It is good to get the players out in the community. It is good for the Twins and it is good for the Parks and Rec Department.”

The Twins players will participate in the activities with children at the Party in the Park. Also, visitors will receive free tickets to Saturday night’s Elizabethton Twins vs. Kingsport Mets game at Joe O’Brien Field.

“We are very excited about this event Saturday,” Mains said. “It gives our Parks and Recreation Department the opportunity to create a fun day in one of our many parks.”

Mains added this Party in the Park is the first in a planned series of events. He said another Party in the Park will be held in the spring and the goal is to have a Party at each of the city’s parks.

“We hope the Party in the Park will continue to grow and will build from here,” he said.

For more information about the Party in the Park call the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department at 547-6441. Douglas Park is located behind the Elizabethton City Schools administration building at 804 S. Watauga Ave.