Heidelberg hosting Day in the Park

By Eloria Newell James, community@laurelleadercall.com

May 29, 2009 11:27 am

— HEIDELBERG — A group of residents in this Jasper County town will conduct its annual Day in the Park activities this weekend.
Ronald Barabino Sr., president of the Heidelberg Brotherhood Club, said a variety of activities have been planned for the event, which will be held at the town park, on Saturday and Sunday.
Heidelberg Mayor Juan Barnett said the event will be a time for all residents to come together and share in some good fun, food and activities.
“We will have all kinds of activities for the children, as well as adults,” Barabino said. “We will have horse shows, live musical entertainers and plenty of activities and food.”
Officials said the first celebration was such a success that the event has become an annual activity that is usually held the Saturday and Sunday prior to Memorial Day. However, Barabino said, rain this year resulted in the event being postponed one week.
“We started this because we wanted to do something to bring people together,” he said. “We wanted to offer them a day of fun that’s designed to be a family outing.”
Barabino said the event has been well received by the community.
“The event grows every year,” Barabino said. “We just want to encourage people of all ages to come out and enjoy the events.”
Barabino said local officials and residents have been supportive of the outing.
“We are getting a lot of cooperation from people,” he said. “We have gotten support from the Town of Heidelberg, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors and several Jasper County elected officials.”
Because of the support the event has received over the years, it is now in its 11th year.
Barabino said the National Guard has also agreed to provide the Rock Climbing Wall for this year’s event.
“Most of what we do at the event is free,” Barabino said. “The vendors charge for the food, but the activities are usually free.”
Activities on Saturday will begin at 9 a.m.. and go into the evening.
Barabino said a variety of musical performances have been scheduled, including gospel, blues and rap artists.
Some of the live performances slated for Saturday will include Ms. Tabitha, a blues artist, and Luther Lackey, another blues artist.
Barabino said Sunday “will be like an old-fashioned day in the park with activities and a DJ.”
Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack is scheduled to be the featured speaker at Sunday’s activities.
Barabino said although the event is occurring in Heidelberg, it is designed to attract people from throughout the area.
“When we say community we are talking about the entire area,” he said. “We want people to come from Laurel, Meridian, Vossburg, Bay Springs, Ellisville, Paulding, Quitman and throughout the area. ... It’s for everybody.”
Aside from the annual weekend event, Barabino said, the Brotherhood also provides services to the community throughout the year.
“The club sponsors a three-day camping trip on Father’s Day weekend for the young boys in the community,” he said. “We also make donations to help families in need throughout the year.”
Anyone wanting more information about the Day in the Park can call Barabino at (601) 787-4455 or (601) 670-5547.