Park board reflects on Party in the Park

With this year’s Party in the Park wrapped, the Creston Parks and Recreation board took time at Tuesday’s meeting to reflect and conceptualize early ideas for next year’s edition.

Total revenue for the event from counting cash from concessions and ticket sales totaled $18,790. Total expenses for the event were not calculated due to invoices that have yet to be paid.

Board members said there was a similar turnout to the 2025 event compared to the previous year. The 19th edition of the event was almost rained out, but quick thinking from volunteers allowed music acts like the Carl Worden Band and Elton Dan & the Rocket Band to still perform.

Todd Kinkade, board member and active volunteer for the event, remembered the scramble to fight off inclement weather and inform the public on the event continuing. He remembered the enthusiasm of the musical guests to perform even while facing less-than-ideal weather. Other board members agreed.

“It was close to being called,” Park Board President John Kawa said. “The bands were wonderful. We couldn’t have asked for better music than those two bands.”

The board spent a portion of the meeting brainstorming concepts and ideas for next year’s Party in the Park, which will represent 20 years of the McKinley Park classic.

Kinkade said he’d like to see a second stage for performers, allowing for “continuous music” as main stage performers transition between each other. He said this could also give opportunities for local or smaller performers as a showcase of talent.

Creston Parks and Recreation’s next event will take place July 26 with the Kids Festival, also known as McKinley Fest, at McKinley Park.

Board members noted an easier process compared to booking live music; volunteers will spend the day grilling around 300 hot dogs for local kids, as well as inflating a few bounce houses for the little ones.

“It’s not a big cost, we’re covered,” Kawa said.

In other parks and recreation board news...

Director Rusty Zimmerman reported a few items in his update to the board. Agility equipment for dogs has been installed at Lexi’s Puppy Patch.

Group swim lessons will be available at the Creston Pool between July 28 through Aug. 1. Parents can pay $20 for their child to learn proper technique. The pool will close on Aug. 16.

The Creston Elks Club donated $1,500 to the Creston Pool for the purchase of a new AED. This will join funds raised during this year’s Sand Volleyball Tournament, adding an additional $1,320.

Dredging crews have resumed their work on McKinley Lake. The lake stunted further dredging after Iowa’s recent wet weather briefly refilled the lake.

Although not within the jurisdiction of the board, Rainbow Park will be the site where the Weary Ramblers, folk duo of fiddler Kathryn Severing Fox and guitarist Chad Elliott, will perform. The performance, sponsored by Creston Arts and Iowa State Savings Bank, will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 28.

The Bill Sears Memorial Ball Complex received approval on artwork designs for murals. Out of two options, the winning design for the west wall of the complex will feature prominently the American flag and a baseball and softball player. Another mural will advertise the complex’s concession stand.

The board is awaiting an assignment from Creston City Council to fill a vacancy in their lineup. In a future meeting, the park board will also review their meeting date and time to avoid future conflicts.