Residents invited to get a kick out of ‘Sparks’ fun
By Kayleigh Rahn
Sparks in the Park will soon kick off, but not before a bout of fun at Ervin Park.
The 2018 celebration will be Saturday, July 7 and all the traditional activities will return with a new activity that residents will, no doubt, get a kick out of watching.
Knockerball can best be described as inflatables meet soccer, says Tuscola tourism director Anna Nelson. Participants play a game of traditional soccer while inside an inflatable sphere that allows the players to collide, bounce, and roll without losing momentum.
Children are invited to kick the ball around during a few open games from 3-5 p.m. before the Tuscola JFL players participate in a tournament that will begin at 6 p.m.
“It will be fun for the kids to get in there, but I’ve heard it’s just as entertaining to watch,” Nelson said.
All Knockerball events are free and will be located at the north end of the park.
Prior to the fireworks show at dusk, attendees will be treated to a live music by the Battle Creek Band, which will begin at 8 p.m.
The day of fun will kick off at 6:45 a.m. with the 5k race registration at the north pavilion. The race will take off at 7:30 p.m. The American Legion will be serving the annual Pancake Breakfast from 7-10 a.m. at the Community Building, and Tuscola Boy Scouts will host the traditional Flag Raising at 8 a.m. at the south flagpole.
Biddy Basketball volunteers have taken over as host of the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, registration opens at 8 a.m. with games tipping off at 9 a.m.
Parade line-up will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the pool parking lot road, but motorists should avoid using the pool road for drop off or parking as line-up officials will be using the space for staging.
The parade will step off at 10 a.m.
Children’s activities will start at 11 a.m. at the south end of the park. Activities will include KidTown Tuscola (in its third year), inflatables, and Benchworx (which requires registration in advance; forms can be found on the city’s website).
The full story can be found in the Wednesday, June 20 edition of The Tuscola Journal.