Sweetheart Dance was a huge hit at Lake Park Pavilion
There was an overwhelming response for the Sweetheart Dance at the Lake Park Pavilion hosted by Friends of the Park on Saturday evening Feb. 11.
“We started ticket sales on Jan. 17, and we were sold out on the 20. It sold out in three days. The tables were set up for eight so people could sit with their friends. A lot of people bought eight tickets or 16 tickets at a time. It was pretty crazy,” said Friends President Bob Bigrigg. “Friends of the Park is a 501c-3 charitable organization. Our sole purpose is to provide support to the park district. All the funds from this as well as what Sherry Kirkpatrick does with the 5K/10K half marathon along with all our volunteers goes to support the park district. With those funds we can keep the paths clean and well renovated, the pavilion, all the ball games and soccer games, the swimming pool, campgrounds, and the bathhouse there. All those things are under the gambit of the park district and Friends of the Park is in support of that.”
This year is the 100th year of the pavilion.
Vice-president Sherry Kirkpatrick said, “On the front of the building there is the year 1923 so that is what we are kicking off. We are celebrating 100 years with the Sweetheart Dance tonight. Minus One band played here in the 80s under the name Apocalypse then. They are a very popular band with a great following. We have already scheduled the Sweetheart dance for next year, Feb. 24, 2024. Save the date.”
It was a great night to see old friends and reminisce about all the fun activities at the pavilion throughout the years.
Mark Stipes with the band Minus One said it was nice to be back at Lake Park. “We used to play here all the time. It’s a good fundraiser, good for the community. I’m happy with the turnout. We haven’t been here for a while. We have a lot of good memories of the pavilion. We were her in ‘82, there was a big crowd, and someone took a picture of the crowd back then and recently showed me the picture. My wife Jodi was standing there right in front. She looked about 12-years-old in that picture, and I didn’t even know her then, now she sings with the band. We’ve had good times here. Lake Park has been good to us. I started playing with my dad when I was 12. Ray Stipes played a lot of music. That’s how I got my start. The bass player Ernie Kahoun and I have been playing music together for 52 years. We started playing together in 1972. I’m looking forward to this. It’s going to be a great time.”
Max Crown said he saw Minus One here about 40 years ago when they were called Apocalypse. “I’m 60-years-old and I remember being here in my 20s. We used to follow the band. They are Minus One now since Marks brother passed away. They played all the local venues around this part of the state. I remember they had this place completely sold out and the fire marshal came and made some of the people leave. I’m really looking forward to tonight. It’s going to bring back a lot of memories of when we were kids. It’s going to be a good time. Friends of the Park hit it out of the ballpark tonight. They really do a great job. These boys are good. A lot of respect goes out to Friends of the Park.”
Debbie Todd attended with her friend Mary Hughes. “We’ve always been at the pavilion, all the time. Lots of weddings and my kids’ friends had a lot of weddings here, too. It’s been part of my kids’ lives and my life since I was young. My mom and dad told me lots of stories about the big bands and they roller skated here. They had wrestling and always all kinds of activities were going on. This is where they came when they were dating. The pavilion has been in our life for over 50 years. I know the band and everybody here tonight because they are my age group. I’m going to be meeting people that we haven’t seen for years so it’s going to be a great night. The band are my neighbors, so we have to follow them around. It’s always going to be a good time dancing. Sure, I’ll be dancing.”
Hughes remembered when they had roller skating back in the day. “My nephew had his reception here. My dad Cliff Hardesty played music here a few times. He played violin and made over 200 violins. He was chairman of the Canal Days fiddle contest.”
Robin and wife Norma Chaney came out to see old friends and dance. “My biggest memory of the pavilion was when it was remodeled. I was about 20 some years old,” Robin said. “I thought it was wonderful back in the day. I’ve been here multiple times for rock bands like they are having tonight but also line dancing. We’ve had a couple line dance events here for the senior center. The reason we’re here tonight is because we are both getting old, and we need to get out. We swing dance. Hopefully they’ll play some swing tonight or something we can swing to.”
Trecia Atwood remembered when they had roulette tables at the pavilion where you could come and play games and they had food too. “I’ve also been to a few weddings here. They decorate really pretty when they do that. We came out tonight for the band. This band is everyone’s favorite in this town. I’ll be out there dancing. People come out for this band.”
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