Art in the Park event draws children to Founders Park
Hands-on art activities and clear skies drew hundreds to the annual Art in the Park for Kids.
Children made creations on rocks and shells and with chalk spray and food during the Farragut Business Alliance-hosted event, presented by TDS Telecom, in Founders Park at Campbell Station off Campbell Station Road Sunday, April 24.
Youngsters found they could play with their food with the help of Cutting Edge Cooking School, which manned a station where children could make artistic food creations.
“We lost Krispy Kreme food art,” Allison Sousa, FBA executive director, said. “This group contacted us and was willing to participate, so we’re glad to have them.”
Art was not the only draw for youngsters, as TDS Telecom manned a corn hole game, where children could play to win a kite, and others took a dip in the creek or threw Hula Hoops on the park’s statues.
Beautiful weather and friends brought the Patel family to Art in the Park for Kids, Manisha Patel of Farragut said.
“We came because of the art,” Isha Patel, 8, said.
The event drew 800 to 1,000 easily, Sousa said.
“We had 200 before we even opened the gates,” she said. “They came an hour early.
‘We weren’t sure what would happen by moving the event to a Sunday, but it didn’t hurt us at all. We couldn’t fit anymore bodies into the park.”
“I like it,” Olivia Brewer, 10, Hardin Valley resident, said. Her favorite activities were the spray art, rock art and shell art. “I like art. It’s fun.”
“It’s something different,” Frances Bailes, Olivia’s grandmother of Louisville, said. “I’ve never seen anything like it. She painted two pictures today off canvas.”
“I like the face painting,” Eddie Biedehoft, who attends St. John Neumann Catholic School, said.
Hayley Rhinehart, a West Knoxville resident, brought 2-year-old Huntley Rhinehart to the event to enjoy some arts and crafts.
“It’s nice,” Rhinehart said. “We really like it.”
“It turned out to be a perfect day for it,” Nicole Kulisek, a Farragut resident, said.
“It’s great,” Teresa Barnes, Farragut resident, said. “It’s our first time here. We just thought we would come out. It has so many activities for the kids.”
“It’s our favorite event,” Courtney Hall, who brought her children, Drake and Ellie Veosmith Hall, said.
”This is our third year. We always have a good time.”
“My kids like art,” Jaime Call, a North Knoxville mother, said. “I thought [Art in the Park for Kids] would be fun to do.”
“We love it,” Sarah Shuler, Maryville resident, said. “We’ve been coming for three years. My daughter said she wants to be an artist, so this is a perfect day for her.”
“I think it’s awesome,” Brad Grey, a Cedar Bluff resident, said. “There are a lot of events for us.
“It’s great for the kids,” Dana Cottle of Cedar Bluff said.
“You can’t beat the day’s temperatures,” Grey said.
“It sounded like a fun afternoon to show [21-month-old daughter Amalia Jenkins] some art,” Mahogany Jenkins, Knoxville resident, said.
SouthEast Bank, Concord Christian School, Costco, Horne Properties, farragutpress and i105.3 WFIV radio, and other Farragut businesses also sponsored the official Dogwood Arts Festival event.
