ASHLANDSome changes are afoot for Summer Motion this summer including some “Girl cheap jerseys Power” at the top.
Two days of the four day festival are returning to Central Park and Sunday night will be a gospel night theme complete with a nationally known act, according to co chairwomen Sheila Fraley and Ruby Deerfield.
The summer festival will be July 1 4, finishing on a high note with country entertainment and a world class fireworks show on the riverfront, Fraley said.
“Ruby and I knew somebody had to do it,” Fraley said. “We have a passion for it so we decided to step in and see what we could do.”
It was both of them or not at all, Fraley said.
“We agreed to do it if we both did it together.”
Both women have been part of the Summer Motion committee for more than two decades and Deerfield has been the treasurer for “15 plus years,” she said.
“I personally have a love for the festival,” Deerfield said. “I have a passion and drive to make it successful. It’s something I love to see happen because it’s a great festival for the community.”
Deerfield continues to handle the financial side and Fraley gathers sponsors. Meanwhile, a “well oiled committee” makes everything else go, Deerfield said. “Each committee member has a job to do and they do it well. They are awesome.”
Bringing the festival back to the park was a no brainer, based on response the past couple of years.
They have added a Whiffle ball home run derby and will be bringing back the watermelon eating contest and http://www.cheapjerseys11.com/ the worm race.
“I think the Whiffle ball will be fun,” Fraley said. “All ages can do it and it will be right after the car show, which is also returning to the park.”
The idea, she said, was to make it more of a “hometown carnival feel.”
The entertainment on both Friday and Saturday nights at the gazebo in the park will be completely local, Fraley said.
“We have a lot of good talent and we can’t wait to hear them,” she said.
King’s Daughters Medical Center and Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital will be offered medical screenings and providing nutritional information during the days in the park.
“I’ve already had people say to me they were excited that we were coming back to the Park,” Deerfield said.
The local lineup is set but the national acts for the riverfront haven’t been signed yet although they’re close.
“We’re working on it and should have an announcement soon,” she said.
When the festival returns to the riverfront on the Sunday and Monday, gates will open each night at 5.
The food vendors will be set up and inflatables for the children.
“Always the hardest part is raising money,” Fraley said. “We offer this as a free festival. It’s all sponsor driven. Our sponsors are great but we can always use more.”
Sponsorships start at $250, which includes two reserved seats for all entertainment.
“These acts aren’t cheap. We bring in the best we can for the money that we raise,” Fraley said.
Deerfield is crossing her fingers about the gospel night, hoping area churches will get behind the program on Sunday night.
Deerfield and Fraley have met with the Ashland Ministerial Association and several churches indicated they would cancel services and invite congregations to come to the riverfront.
