Richmond Parks looks towards fall events

Taylor Six, Richmond Register, Ky.
·2 min read

Aug. 5—Summer activities and event success for the Richmond Parks Department are in the rearview mirror for a restriction-free warm season.

One of the biggest summer events, the Fourth of July celebration, was one that went off with several firework bangs.

Although it was previously reported the turnout was in the hundreds, Erin Moore, director of recreation and parks administration said the confirmed number of cars to enter the front entrance of Lake Reba was 4,041.

It is expected more than 16,000 people could have attended if four people were in the seats of each car. In addition, a counter was not placed at the back entrance to Reba, and the numbers of attendees could be even higher.

"It could even be close to the 20,000s," Moore said to the Parks Board on Tuesday afternoon. "I have never seen so many cars on the Fourth of July."

In addition to the Fourth of July event, staff of the parks department noted successful events with their Tasty Tuesday event and the dive-in movie showings. They are planning for several movies in the park beginning in September.

Staff with the department said they have received the most donations ever for the annual back-to-school bash with more than $10,000 worth of items to purchase school supplies.

"We are hearing from people we had never heard from before wanting to donate," said Elizabeth Foster, of the parks department. "We don't know if it is because of COVID and they weren't able to give things out."

The bash will be held at Irvine McDowell park on August 12 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Now, the department is gearing up for their holiday season beginning with the annual Back-to-School Bash, Homecoming Concert, and Millstone Festival.

However, both the city and their departments have to be prepared at any moment to hit the brakes and change gears with COVID-19 cases on the rise.

City Manager Rob Minerich said he was praying that restrictions would not again cancel or postpone any scheduled fun — including the Millstone Festival.

"I am praying we will be able to have it," he said. This event was scheduled to debut in 2020, but was pushed back until 2021 for coronavirus. It is scheduled to take place on October 9.

Foster said work was also resuming to host the Halloween Hoedown on Main Street. Last year, the event was restructured to be a drive-thru style at Lake Reba. However, in addition to the other fall seasonal activities, all are subject to change depending on the city's COVID-19 status.