Festival will showcase park

October 7, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Austintown

Awesome-Town Fall Festival organizers hope this weekend’s event will draw folks from all over the community.

The festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Austintown Township Park, promises to highlight businesses and organizations within the township, said Brad Bloomster, director of ministries at Austintown Community Church.

“It turned out to be a collective creative effort of all of these individuals and organizations in the community,” he said. “We’re encouraging people to come and enjoy one another.”

Bloomster said since the idea came to life in mid-2009, about 25 individuals have actively participated in the planning and organizing process.

“Because those people are part of larger organizations, it’s so much further reaching,” he said.

Bloomster said residents will enjoy food vendors, activities from local churches and organizations, karaoke, a cornhole tournament sponsored by the Austintown Kiwanis Club and live entertainment from Rocky Chirchiglia at noon, the Sunshine Riders at 1:30 p.m. and BAM Magic Club at 2:45 p.m.

Joyce Gottron, parks supervisor, said parking will be limited on the park grounds, so bus stops will be set up to transport people.

Bloomster said those attending can park in the Austintown and Kmart plazas, both on Mahoning Avenue, and the Rulli Brothers parking lot on Kirk Road. A shuttle that runs every 15 minutes will take people back and forth, he said.

“We really have three goals: to build relationships and good will, highlight all things good about Austintown and begin to help connect our residents with some of the resources available in the area,” Bloomster said.

Gottron said the festival will be a good way for residents who don’t usually visit the park to see it as a community centerpiece.

“We’re excited to be able to showcase the park with this event,” she said. “This is a unique festival in the fact that it’s umbrellaing everyone as far as organizations and businesses and showing folks who live here what they have within their community.”