Luau brings something new to Peabody
By JOANNA BRAZIL
Main Street Director
Grab your sunglasses, your favorite "I can never wear this in public because it is too loud" shirt, a beach towel, some friends, and head downtown this Saturday for the Peabody Main Street "Hula La La."
Festivities begin at 8 a.m. in Santa Fe Park with Peabody's own Doyle Valley Farmers' Market. Kathleen Kelly, former food editor of The Wichita Eagle, will be there at 10 a.m. presenting fun, interesting, and delicious food ideas. Tasty tropical dishes and creations will be available in addition to popular standbys offered every week.
Find new and fun summer merchandise in the downtown shops. Frozen tropical coolers also will be available to help you beat the heat.
Parents and grandparents, bring your children's car seats downtown for a free check by the Marion County Health Department. Car seat checks and proper installation training are available from 3 to 6 p.m. Contact the Marion County Health Department for more information.
After cooling off at the city pool, bring the kids downtown for exciting games, activities, and contests. The fun begins at 3 p.m. and lasts until 5:30. They can cool off in the "Water Zone," they can hula, limbo, or "Go Fish" for prizes, or they can create their own shell necklaces and grass skirts. There will be face painting, "musical beach towels," and photos in the "Little grass photo shack." Many of the activities are free, but some will charge a small fee.
Peabody Main Street's Hawaiian Hog Roast begins at 6:30 with several tasty dishes and authentic Hawaiian dance entertainment. Tickets for the buffet are on sale at the city office at a discounted rate through Friday. Adult tickets currently are $8, children four to 12 are $4, and there is no charge for children three and younger. The prices will go up Saturday to $10 and $6.
Prizes will be awarded during the evening for the best Hawaiian shirt, the best muu muu, and for the coloring contest.
Coloring contest posters are available at the city office and in most Peabody businesses. Entries must be dropped off at the city office by the close of business on Friday.
Do not miss the free summer outdoor movies at 9:30 p.m. Popcorn also is free, provided by the Peabody State Bank. The outdoor movies include a few vintage cartoons, the Three Stooges "Hula La La," and the feature presentation, "Frances the Talking Mule in the Navy." Bring your own lawn chair or blanket to the north lawn of Marshall Auction Warehouse. Drinks and additional snacks will be available for sale.
Proceeds of the "Hula La La" go to the Peabody Main Street association, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that strives to ensure that Peabody continues to grow and thrive while preserving its historic character through the involvement of the community.
Anyone interested in helping with the "Hula La La," should contact Joanna Brazil at 983-2174 or pbdymnst@earthlink.net.
Exciting things are happening downtown! We hope to see you there!
