by Shawn Nowlin
Hundreds of Roanoke community members of all ages got together on Aug. 11 at McCadden Park to celebrate the 2023 Summer Fest. Sponsored by the NW Faith Partnership, celebrating togetherness and building lasting memories is what the event is all about.
Attendees were encouraged to arrive with empty stomachs and bring their own lawn chairs. The four-hour event which began at 3 p.m. featured live music, bouncy houses, kids activities, vendors, food trucks and much more. A lot of behind-the-scenes work laid the foundation for the event’s success.
Many, like Candace Harris, withstood the long lines to purchase some authentic cooking. “My brother couldn’t make it because of work, so I made sure I hooked him up with some to-go plates and souvenir items,” said Harris who did bring her two children to the park.
Asked to explain what his favorite part was, Tommy Stevenson smiled then replied, “Seeing faces that I have not seen in a minute. It’s always nice to hear Bernadette ‘BJ’ Lark speak and support young brothers like Miles Wilson. The young people displaying their stepping skills on the stage was also very impressive. Within minutes of parking my car, I felt like I was at a family reunion.”
JoJo Stockton is at his happiest when he is using his musical talents to put a smile on people’s faces. Whenever he is performing on stage, it’s nearly impossible for his enthusiasm to be contained.
He and his Solacoustix Band, consisting of Stuart Brown, Chris Eural and Adam Hill, provided Saturday’s live entertainment. Already familiar with what they bring to the table, Kim Williams says she couldn’t stop dancing once they started performing. “Their energy is quite contagious. You can tell that they are all having so much fun whenever they are in front of an audience,” she said.
To Williams, it is always worthwhile to support gatherings like this. “I’m so glad that I made time for this event. Luckily, it didn’t rain until the end very end.”
A great way to get to know people in the community is to get out of your comfort zone. That’s exactly what Grace Noel did last Saturday. As she explained, “I was walking my dog and noticed a large gathering at McCadden Park. When I asked a woman what was happening, she explained everything to me. I immediately went home to change clothes, and when I returned, I was given a tour of everything. It’s hard to imagine having a better time.”
