Pratt Fest summer's last great blast

Pratt Fest 2010 holds a full day of family-friendly activities — a “last blast” before school starts for Pratt kids, but just as welcome for those in districts, like Skyline, that will have already started school on Sept. 4.

A project of the Leadership Class of 2010, Pratt Fest brings together a lot of good things Pratt has to offer — beautiful parks, activities for kids, a community fair atmosphere, and opportunities to raise funds for good causes. The hope is that it will become an annual event, with more activities added next year, according to Elizabeth Bell, a member of the class that graduated last spring.

Pratt Fest activities will be held in Lemon Park, beginning at 9 a.m. The Pratt Pilot Club will host its annual Western Days and Pilot Express train rides the same day at Sixth Street Park. The Pilot Club is making arrangements for free hayrides between the parks, starting mid-afternoon and running every half-hour.

The day begins at 9 a.m. with the Amazing Race II, in which teams of five or fewer will search for clues throughou Lemon Park. The winning team wins $500 in Chamber Bucks and the race is a benefit for health needs and programs of local children.

Participation is needed to make the day successful. Bell encouraged vendors — for lunchtime or snacks or other products — to give her a call as soon as possible. The Leadership group will meet Wednesday to map out locations along the walking path for vendors, based on their needs.

Starvin’ Marvin’s has already signed up as a lunch vendor, but there is certainly room for anyone else, she noted. Eight or nine vendors have registered to sell items, including jewelry, purses, bookbags and stained glass items. Bell said they will still take registrations at the last minute, but they want to avoid too many people or groups selling the same products, and it may be more difficult to accommodate the needs of late-comers.

Dog-owners are encouraged to bring their pets, along with a photograph for a “peoples choice” contest. Voting will be done by placing spare change — or larger amounts of money — in jars, for the benefit of the Pratt Area Humane Society. Dogs may do tricks if their owners like, organizer Sarah Blasi, said, but they don’t have to. Nor do they have to stay around all day — that’s why owners are asked to bring a photograph.

Dogs need to be restrained, either on a leash or in a crate.

Maurices will sponsor Rescues and Runways, with at least a dozen local models showing off fall fashions while accompanied by a dog from the Humane Society. A silent auction of items donated by Pratt businesses will raise funds for PAHS and by Sept. 1, a box will be placed in the store where shoppers may make donations of money or products such as cleaning supplies, animal toys or food in return for a store coupon.

Manager Amy Rambat said no animals were adopted last year — one of the goals of the program — but a good amount of money was raised.

There will be plenty of games for kids with a new one each hour from mid-morning through the afternoon. The Assembly of God youth will use inflatable playground equipment as a fund-raiser. Older kids, 12 and over, can play kickball, volleyball and ultimate frisbee.

Several members of the leadership class and board of directors have been persuaded to sit on a dunk tank as a fund-raiser for the program.

A talent show is scheduled for the afternoon. Anyone with any kind of talent is encouraged to register, Bell said.

The Pilot Express will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Sixth Street Park, where western scenes will be set up along the tracks. Rides are $1 for everyone age three and older.

A variety of games will be held in the afternoon. Western cutouts will be available as props for photographs. A professional clown will be on hand to tie balloons for the kids. The Pilot Club will sell supper items beginning at 4 p.m. as a fund-raiser for community projects supported by the club.

Verlan Elliott will perform live western music from 5 to 7 p.m. There is no charge for the concert.