Looking for some financially friendly fun? Klingensmith Park will host multiple events with free spectator admission this weekend, offering families and individuals local entertainment choices. All of the fun begins at 11 a.m. Saturday morning.
Kicking things off, entrants to the Living Legends Car Show, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., may begin arriving to the parking lot around the base of the water tower and to the south of the amphitheater at 10 a.m. Each entrant must pay a $20 entrance fee to participate in the show. Organizer Johnathan Scroggs excitedly noted that they have purchased more than $1,000 in trophies with more than another thousand dollars in gifts and gift certificates for event winners made possible, in part, by the generous donations of sponsors and community members.
Further, Johnathan described a key difference the Living Legends Car Show presents: Living Legends encourages and requests that participants exhibit and tell their historical stories of the people, vehicles, and events that inspired them to build their showcased cars. The event will even present a trophy for the judges’ favorite historical story of the vehicle’s build. In total, 22 trophies will be presented to show exhibitors.
In conjunction with the Living Legends Car Show, Klingensmith will host the Living Legends Softball Tournament for the first time. The tournament will be run by Ashlyn Marshall from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. but may end sooner or later, depending upon number of participating teams and duration of games. All teams must be coed, requiring at least three female members to participate, and any team is welcomed to play. The tourney will follow standard rules with Ms. Marshall hiring a tournament umpire and ensuring the tournament is official. Each team may enter the tournament up until 11 a.m. Saturday morning and must pay a $50 entry fee. First and second place winners will receive awards.
Throughout both Living Legends events, the Bristow Gospel Fest, organized by Dixie Gentry, will be providing live musical entertainment on stage at the amphitheater. Multiple entertainers will perform including Jericho Crossing, Johnathan Scroggs, Faithfultoo, The Williamsons, and 8th Street. The musical festival will cover multiple genres of Christian and gospel music. The music festival will run until 5 p.m. with food and craft vendors also available for the pleasure of attendees and Living Legends’ participants as well.
Dixie Gentry announced that in addition to attending or participating in any of the events, children may play on bouncy houses and various foods will be available for purchase throughout the otherwise free-to-attend events. Food vendors will offer traditional fair foods like deep fried Oreos and funnel cakes as well as sushi, Indian tacos, sno-cones, pulled pork sandwiches, baked breads and treats, and more. Additionally, craft vendors will offer jewelry, baskets, plants, photography, apparel and accessories, nails and facepainting, sewn items, a balloon artist, bath and body products, and more.
As always, attendees may enjoy the adjacent naturally beautiful lake area, visit the park and walking paths, hike the nature trails, enjoy a tennis game at the courts, tour the Wake Island Memorial, or get active at the Pirate Action Sports Park—all for free.
Johnathan and Dixie partnered in their endeavors to bring a fun-filled, affordable Saturday of events to the community as part of their broader efforts to build a future of local events for all to enjoy regardless of financial and transportation abilities and access. Johnathan said, “I'm thankful for Will and Dixie Gentry stepping up and serving this community, and I'm proud to help them make these events a yearly occurrence.” Following up, Dixie stated, “It’s so much bigger than our efforts, though. It takes a community of people to make these events happen with the whole community’s enjoyment in mind.” Together, Dixie and Johnathan wish to extend special thanks to their spouses, Will and Chrisy respectively, the Shirleys, Ashlyn Marshall, and David and Tammy Riise in helping to organize and make this weekend’s events a reality. They further wish to thank all sponsors, performers, vendors, event participants, and attendees for making this event a success now and for many years to come.
Event organizers issued a parting message, “Admission Is free to the public, and we hope everyone will come support this amazing day of fun and food and fellowship in our beautiful city park. It’s for all of us.”