Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Many celebrated National Kids in Park day with the second annual Millbrook Mayfest Saturday afternoon. With kids activities, food trucks and countless opportunities to shop and buy local, a great time was had by all in Village Green Park on Main St. in Millbrook.
“We wanted to increase the festivals and opportunities that our community had and so the idea we had last year, we wanted to do something in May and that’s how Mayfest came about. Just a celebration of the kickoff of summer. Today is also Children and Parks Day and what a great way to celebrate,” City of Millbrook, Cultural Arts & Special Events Director, Danae Morgan said.
The rain and inclement weather held off just long enough for the Mayfest goers to enjoy all the festivities had to offer. The event was put on by the Millbrook Cultural Arts and Special Events as well as the Parks and Recreation Departments.
“This year the weather put a little damper on us. There was a lot of concern going into today, but as soon as people realized that the weather was going to hold off for us and then we were here, rain or shine, people started trickling in and we had steady traffic all day. A lot of kids came through today and a lot of smiling faces which makes me super happy,” Morgan said.
Even with the threat of rain, the Village Green Park was filled with vendors and local artists throughout the state and surrounding states. With original handmade jewelry, home decor, toys, and other art items as well as farmers market items such as local honey, flowers, soaps and other locally grown produce.
An interactive May Pole was standing tall within the park, where the Alabama Dance Theatre put on a festive show that was held from 11-1 p.m. that day.
“We try to do things where people can do free activities like face painting and the arts activities. Going forward we’ll have new ideas for next year and it’ll be bigger and better. And we’ll just keep improving. We really want a diverse group of arts and crafts. We love fine arts, and I thought we had a really diverse group of vendors here today, and I felt really good about this lineup,” Morgan said.
Morgan went on to thank Millbrook’s mayor, city council, the city departments as well as parts and rec for having all hands on deck.
“It’s always so fun for me to see smiling faces, see the community engaged and to have stuff right here, in our town because we used to have to travel to other towns to go out and participate in festivals like this. But to have it right here in our hometown, I think it’s just really what people want, and we had such a wonderful time,” Morgan said.
