Only one picnic performance left

Liberal Residents eat their lunch and visit while Ratzlaff's sings. Photo by Connie Whiteley

Jared Ratzlaff sings during Picnic at the Park. Ratzlaff is a Liberal Police Department Patrol Sergeant who provided entertainment to Liberal residents that chose to eat their lunch at Tobias Park Wednesday. Photo by Connie Whiteley

Residents of Liberal were invited to a Picnic in the Park featuring live music at noon Wednesday in Tobias Park.

Liberal Parks and Recreation Department has held Picnic in the Park since May.

"It is something we do weekly," said parks and recreation director Gary Scott. "We start in May, first Wednesday in May. We run through July. Next week is the final week.

"We usually have a good turn out," said Scott."It is usually between a 100-to-150 (people)."

Activities supervisor Ronna Stump is in charge of the picnic and said organizing the picnic has become easy.

"I have been doing it for five summers, and people call me up wanting to perform, and sometimes I have to start calling people to get some dates filled, but for the most part, they call me."

Stump said she thinks the picnic is great.

"I think it is a great program and people come out all the time and really enjoy it," said Stump.

Jared Ratzlaff, whose day job is patrol sergeant with the Liberal Police Deparment, was this weeks' performer for the picnic. Ratzlaff performed a variety of songs including songs by Buddy Jewell and The Righteous Brothers. Ratlzlaff said he thought that Picnic in the Park is good for Liberal.

"I think it's great," said Ratzlaff. "People can come out and enjoy their lunch hour."

His audience members agreed.

"We love it," said Cathy Buddenhagen and Albert Blaser. "We have been every week, we haven't missed one."

Scott also thought that the picnic was great.

"It gives people the opportunity to get away from the jobs awhile and enjoy the summer day with family and friends," Scott said. "We got local entertainment, and it's free."

The picnic is held over the lunch hour with concessions available, or residents are free to bring their own lunches. The concessions that is available mainly to benefit Liberal residents.

"We keep the prices down, so that everyone can come over and join in (the picnic)," said Scott.

The next and last Picnic of the Park will be Wednesday, July 28 with Jordan and Brie King performing.
For the full story, see Friday's edition of The Southwest Times.

© 2008 Southwest Times