Picnic in the Park

This afternoon I attended the Picnic in the Park for Newcomers and Immigrants. The event was hosted in the park next to the United Church and attracted hundreds of people on what was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. There was free food, live entertainment, a short program, and a petting zoo (which was popular with the children- especially the llama!).

I must look like the type of person who enjoys a good BBQ (probably because I am). As soon as I arrived the event organized asked me to take on the responsibility for cooking the hundreds of hot dogs that needed to be prepared for everyone who showed up. This was a task I readily accepted as I grabbed the tongs and went to work.

My position near the entrance of the park, and my status as the ‘preparer of hot dogs’ gave me the ability to visit with almost everyone who attended. There was a real sense of community as the volunteers who put on this event threw out the welcome mat for those who were new to the Battlefords.

In an era where more and more people are living ‘closed’ lives with little regard for their neighbour, I was proud of my community for being so open and welcoming.