The Reporter newspaper, Camdenton Missouri

The Reporter covers Miller, Morgan and Camden County in Central Missouri's Lake of the Ozarks and is published once per week on Wednesdays.

Two fighters from the local chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism engage in battle as a viewer watches safely from a vehicle behind them at last weekend's Arts in the Park, held at the Linn Creek City Park.

(Reporter photo by Jeff Thompson)

Published October 8, 2014

Massive turnout surprises all at Arts in the Park

By Jeff Thompson
LINN CREEK - Attendance at the 20th Annual Arts in the Park last Saturday - to quote an event organizer - was “stunning” and weather definitely played a factor.

Sponsored by the Camden County Child Advocacy Council (CCCAC), the yearly event features a wide variety of kid-friendly, hands-on activities at the City Park, all designed to put children at their ease.

After all, the CCCAC’s motto is “it should never hurt to be a child.”

Last year the weather was cloudy and cold and damp; attendance was lower than previous events.

However, this year’s Arts in the Park drew hundreds of visitors out to enjoy a bright, brisk perfect autumn day at the park.

“This is stunning,” CCCAC Member Nancy Pope said. “This is wonderful weather, this is great!”

The sun was bright, the clouds few and temperatures hovered around the 55-degree mark. Although the breeze would sometimes grow into a strong wind that raffled tablecloths and snapped tent flaps with a blustery rhythm, families came prepared with sweaters and jackets.

The kids and their parents also kept themselves warm with an assortment of attractions, including a free lunch.

“We went through 750 paper plates and by the end of the day, they were serving hotdogs on paper towels,” Pope said.

The Camden County Astronomy Association were also on hands to show kids how to safely look at the sun.

(Reporter photo by Jeff Thompson)

Face painting, astronomy, “paw prints”, sword fighting, a petting zoo along with a local dance troupe and live music were just a few of the free activities that drew such large crowds to the Linn Creek City Park.

Attendance at the Saturday event was so large that by early afternoon Linn Creek police officers had to monitor traffic up and down West Valley Drive.

The number of vehicles parked on either side of the road narrowed the street into a temporary one-way avenue with officers posted on either end to control the passing of cars.

The main event officially started at 10 a.m., but a Fall Into Awareness 5K run/walk to benefit CCCAC was held at the park at 8 a.m. Participants in the run/walk were - of course - encouraged to stay for the main event.

Although the 2014 Arts in the Park probably doubled the city’s population - at least temporarily - by the time it wound down at 3 p.m., a half-hour later saw the street back to normal and the park free of tents and booths.

The colorful playground equipment and picnic tables continued to draw visitors to the park throughout the rest of the day, as it usually does.