Central Park busy for the Fourth

BY CINDY TOOPES Courier staff writer

July 04, 2008 11:31 pm

— OTTUMWA — Beautiful weather, the hometown downtown park, kids building sand castles or eating snow cones, popcorn or cotton candy and adults relaxing in the shady areas.
All of that and more added up to a free and easy feeling for “A Patriotic Hometown Holiday” Friday in Central Park. South Ottumwa Savings Bank and Main Street Ottumwa presented the event.
The Fourth of July celebration started with Lunch in the Park, which was catered by South Hy-Vee and sponsored by KMGO Radio.
At the Main Street Ottumwa table, blowing bubbles and collecting little flags and flag stickers and face painting were popular for several youngsters.
Layla and Nick Teel of Ottumwa brought their young daughters, Penelope, who’s almost 4, and Anna, 18 months, to the park. They gathered some flags and stickers.
“I think [this event] is something the whole family can do and enjoy the downtown,” Layla Teel said.
Cindy Woodbury, executive director of Main Street Ottumwa, said “lots of people” had visited the park and many spent most of the afternoon.
“It’s a great day. We’ve got puppies and flags, food, bubbles, sand sculptures and a jumper house,” Woodbury said. “This park is a great asset.”
The jumper house provided a place for the kids to burn off some energy by bouncing around. Shaped like a castle, the special, inflated room gave youngsters a soft place to land.
“The kids love it,” Woodbury said.
Heartland Humane Board Member Darla Jackson said things were “going great” at the animal shelter’s table. She said they set up early and have had a “constant stream of visitors.”
“We’re always happy to accept donations and do fundraisers but that’s not the focus for Independence Day,” Jackson said. “Our snow cones, cotton candy and popcorn are just $1 per item. We want families to get a break.”
The humane society brought puppies and dogs that were available for adoption.
“In the cage is Violet. She was rescued from the puppy mill,” Jackson said.
Jean Sporer, also on the Heartland board, said Violet’s six pups had been adopted and Vivian Babcock “has been caring” for the abused dog.
“We brought Violet here for some socializing,” Sporer said. “Also, Heartland Humane appreciates being here. We were asked to join in and partner with Main Street.”
Babcock said Violet needs extra attention, a “special home where she’s the only dog.” She thinks Violet is a Chihuahua and terrier mix.
Jackson said mostly board members were manning the booth, including Pam and Bill Alexander and Meg Hutchison.
There was also a Patriotic Kiddie Parade sponsored by South Ottumwa Savings Bank and the Modern Woodman of America Youth Club, which also made the kids games possible.
The bank’s “Live After Five” concert capped the afternoon in Central Park. Bluegrass Addiction’s appearance on the bandstand was sponsored by KLEE and KOTM Radio.
Many park visitors said they were looking forward to the city’s fireworks display at dusk.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com