ParkFest 2017 offers attendees plenty of options at Gavin Park
WILTON, N.Y. » It rained as ParkFest was scheduled to begin, but the precipitation quickly went away, allowing for a good time to be had by all.
The Wilton Community Day, Parkfest celebrated its 11th year Saturday at Gavin Park with the biggest festival in its history.
“The most vendors; we maxed out on the vendors. As a matter of fact, I think we have more than we usually have space for,” said Mark Marino, who is in charge of Gavin Park. “It’s just grown to a certain point where we’ve maximized our space. I don’t know if it can get any bigger than this. It’s great.”
Steve Porto organized this year’s ParkFest, but moving forward Marino will organize the event.
ParkFest 2017 featured rides, racing pigs, a petting zoo, plenty of food and drink options, music and fireworks.
Ashley Robinson attended her first ParkFest. She had lived in New Hampshire for the last 10 years, but she used to go to summer camp in Wilton.
“[Leah Robinson, Ashley’s daughter] is excited for the pony rides,” said Ashley. “And I’m excited for the face painting.”
Another first time ParkFest attendee was Mary Ann Filkins.
“I haven’t really come to ParkFest before although it’s been right in my backyard,” said Filkins. “I used to live the down the street, but, yeah, it’s our first year coming.”
Filkins is a basket weaver, but the baskets she sold Saturday weren’t ones she made herself.
“[The baskets] all import from Ghana through the Fair Trade Federation,” said Filkins. “They are all hand woven, and it’s their No. 1 source of income there now.”
No two baskets are alike. Filkins said its her second year in business, and Every Basket Counts travel to different festivals to sell hand-woven baskets.
Gerard Gaunay spent his sixth birthday Saturday at ParkFest.
“[He was] very excited
spend his birthday here,” said his mother, Kassandra Gaunay. “He wants to go on all the rides and do everything he possible he can.”
Gerard Gaunay his face painted had like Batman birthday.
Bennie & the Jets, an Elton John tribute band, was scheduled to play at 7:30, at the same time Chris McDaniel performed his to begin his Wild West Show.
The day lineup also included Mini-Ark Farms, the George Saterial’s Magic Show, an ice cream eating contest and more.