Valley residents stroll down Idora's memory lane at Mill Creek event

YOUNGSTOWN

Kathy Carnahan will never forget the day she lost her necklace at Idora Park.

Well, she didn’t actually lose it. She kind of gave it away. But just the same, she went home with out it, and it was a memorable day.

She had gone to the park to see a concert by recording artist Bobby Sherman, who performed in the park’s storied ballroom in the 1970s.

“I was sitting in the sixth row,” Carnahan said with a wide smile. “I remember I took off my necklace and tossed it up on the stage to him, and he picked it up and kept it.”

Carnahan, 57, of Struthers, was among those who attended Idora Day at Lanterman’s Mill in Mill Creek Park Saturday. The event was dedicated to rekindling memories of the park, once known as Youngstown’s Million-Dollar Playground, on the city’s South Side.

Idora Park opened May 30, 1899, and enjoyed a successful run until its closure was forced after a devastating fire in 1984.

Carnahan also recalled going to see teen heart-throb David Cassidy, who performed a concert on the park’s baseball field in the 1970s.

Read more memories of the park shared at Saturday's event in Sunday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.