By Barbara Palmgren
It was an early Saturday morning. The temperature was warm. Vendors were in place throughout Perrine Park. The Valparaiso Garden Club and local nonprofits were ready on site. Runners wearing patriotic 5K shirts crossed the finish line around 9:30 a.m. The Mustang Car Club paraded down Eastview Avenue toward Perrine Park and the museum parking area. Valparaiso police officers closed streets with bright orange cones while the Eglin Honor Guard presented the nation’s colors.
The event was officially ready to begin. And then, the rain arrived.
With the area experiencing drought conditions, most attendees welcomed the much-needed precipitation. Ken Walsh, museum trustee and organizer of the 5K race, smiled as he headed inside the museum when thunder and heavy rain temporarily shut down the outdoor activities during the mid-morning hours. His work was complete and, thankfully, the runners were already dry.
Although the event became more than a little soggy with intermittent showers throughout the morning, skies began clearing before noon, allowing the public to enjoy the annual tradition they look forward to each year — Saturday in the Park.
This year’s celebration included something especially meaningful inside the museum’s new exhibit hall. The long-awaited “Celebrate American 250! The Revolution” exhibit officially opened, and the public was invited to tour both the exhibit and the museum free of charge for the day.
Adding to the experience was reenactor Travis Souther, dressed in colonial uniform near the military tent display. Souther spent hours interacting with children, allowing them to wear uniforms and pose with wooden rifles for photos with their families. Later in the afternoon, once conditions dried out, he demonstrated the firing of a Revolutionary War-era firearm.
While one musical group canceled because of the weather, Dr. Marie Hallion and her friend Rosie the Riveter presented a lecture under umbrellas beside the museum. Jay Denny and his band performed soft rock favorites for the crowd, followed by Zac Broxton with easy-listening selections. Earlier in the day, museum trustee Mike Weaver provided fitting music from a playlist honoring the Mustang Car Club during its parade into the park.
After all, what’s not to love about music celebrating classic cars? Surely “Mustang Sally” would approve of having a song written in her honor.
Food vendors kept attendees well-fed throughout the day, while the bake sale offered plenty of sweet treats to enjoy on-site or take home. Thanks to the skilled efforts of volunteer Debi Moon and her team, the bake sale proved to be another successful part of the event.
In the end, the rain cooperated just enough to make this year’s Saturday in the Park one more memorable reminder of why residents are proud to call this special Panhandle community home.
