Annual picnic kicks off CP holiday week events (2024)

Steve EuvinoTimes Correspondent

CROWN POINT – The weatherman must have a thing for cool picnics. After a sweltering Saturday in the 90s, the mercury dropped to the mid-60s Sunday for the annual citywide picnic at Bulldog Park.

“Every year, we look forward to seeing the community during the citywide picnic,” said Crown Point Mayor Pete Land. “In addition to serving lunch, our staff works hard to serve up fun during this annual event.”

With support from 11 corporate sponsors, city workers and officials served a meal that featured burgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and ice cream.

The mayor was handling pulled pork. Working beside him was Parks Director Jennie Burgess, who commented she’s looking forward to having fun July 4. “I like the fireworks,” she said.

The picnic, sponsored by the mayor’s office, kicked off holiday events this week. These include the parade on Thursday, starting at 11 a.m. from Crown Point High School and ending at the military tank on Goldsborough Street. Fireworks follow at dusk.

Donations were also accepted at the picnic for the city’s annual Adopt-A-Family program which provides food and gifts for families in need during the holiday season.

The hundreds of people who nearly encircled Bulldog Park did not seem to mind the wait. Some arrived an hour in advance of the event’s start.

Seth Bright said he was there for “the free food.”

Kathleen Amsler came with her three children, ages 10, eight, and six. Looking ahead to the holiday, she wants to spend time with family.

As to the picnic, “I enjoy seeing everybody from the community come together and spend time together,” she said.

Amanda Husick brought daughter Juniper, two, to the picnic, which she called “just so nice. For a low-income mom, it’s nice to have an occasional free event that you don’t have to budget for.”

Husick added that she looks forward to spending more time with family and her daughter over the holiday.

Rhonda Ochoa came with her two sons, ages 13 and 11. “The picnic food was fantastic,” she said, “and it’s nice to see different neighbors and a great opportunity to hang out.”

As did others, Ochoa said she is looking forward to the parade and fireworks.

Carl and Kristen Huizenga came with their two sons, ages five and seven, who will soon be marking birthdays. As to the weather, Carl noted, “Every year it’s cooler. There’s good food and you get to be outside with others.”

Denise Fles knows what she likes around the holidays – her grandbabies. Currently she has five, but by February that number will grow to seven.

At the picnic, “I love the people, I love the talk,” Fles said.

Marcy Vale, a friend, likes “connecting with people in the community” at the picnic. Looking ahead, she enjoys “seeing some really good friends and getting together with people at holiday parties.”

Susie O’Neill enjoys the food and friends at the picnic, as well as “the people in the city working hard to make this happen.”

With two boys in the scouting float, Rob Sheehan looks forward to the parade. At the picnic, he noted, “It’s nice to be outside.”

Picnickers had access to the splash pad and beanbag games.

Beth Seifert and daughter Danielle volunteered with the pulled pork. The mother can’t wait to get in her pool for the Fourth.

“Getting the community together” is what Beth likes about the picnic, while her daughter pointed to food and friends.

A Cedar Lake resident, Danielle looks ahead to that community’s Summerfest July 5-8. Such events, she noted, are a “good way to get the community together.”

Maricris Martin brought two girls, ages three and seven. She loves summer activities such as swimming and splash pads.

Regarding the picnic, Martin commented, “I love the food – all the food.”