Party in the Park dodges rain for an eventful evening

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Rain or shine, the Party in the Park continued on Friday, July 14, as the community came out for the third of the summer’s series of Friday night events.

With touch-and-go weather including a late-afternoon shower threatening to disrupt the evening’s activities, the skies cleared up just in time for a delightful, if a bit damp, community celebration.

While some of the activities, like pedal cars, had to cancel, the show went on with vendors, food trucks and music provided by Flatland Ridge. The pre-show rain made for a cool summer evening as people trickled in to enjoy themselves outside.

Sponsoring the event this week was First Security Bank, which happened to be celebrating its 120th anniversary to the day at the same time.

“First Security has been a Party in the Park sponsor for many years,” said bank public relations specialist Katelyn Schwery. “We knew we’d be involved, and it was just a perfect coincidence that we were able to sponsor the party on our anniversary.”

Established in Charles City on July 14, 1903, as The Security Trust and Savings Bank, First Security brought a round of drinks for everybody in the park, handing out cans of Miller High Life, which itself is 120 years old this year, for a celebratory toast.

First Security Bank President and CEO Kurt Herbrechtsmeyer went up on stage to thank the community for its support over the last 120 years. Herbrechtsmeyer also gave a special recognition to Matt Bradley, the bank’s marketing manager, who is moving on to a new job but stuck around long enough to serve up popcorn in the park at the Rotary Club popcorn wagon and see the anniversary celebration through.

Outside of Party in the Park, the bank has been celebrating its anniversary across their 10 locations, handing out Crayola crayons and balsam plane gliders as their 1903 founding coincides with the invention of the crayons and the Wright Brothers’ first successful flight. Treats and refreshments were also available and the bank has even worked with the Floyd County Museum to put together a historical exhibit for the main office lobby.

The night also featured the anticipated raffle drawing for a framed portrait of Charles City’s Main Street, created by Steve Schiller. The Main Street outreach committee has been raffling off chances for the portrait throughout the summer and out of about 300 tickets, Quinn Weber was selected to receive the prize.

“We appreciate all the people in the raffle,” said Mayor Dean Andrews, who also serves on the outreach committee. “And if you didn’t win, you can still buy a print at the Main Street office.”