Route 66 Summerfest made possible through community effort

Thanks to the planning and organizing efforts of Rolla’s Nick Barrack and Dawn Smith, who once again generously hosted and co-chaired the nostalgic Route 66 Summerfest June 4-5 in the Downtown Festival Park, Rolla was like a magnet for thousands in the Meramec Valley Region over the past weekend.
From classic cars and vintage motorcycles, to the nostalgic ride along memory lane “Route 66 Cruise-in” from St. James to Rolla, the ceremonial crowning of Miss Route 66, three different sporting events (tennis, volleyball, and Tour d’ Phelps bike ride), Movies Under the Stars Double Feature, a street dance featuring FANFARE, a Ghost Walk at Rolla Cemetery, the Downhill Derby, Fire Truck Pull, and a half a dozen other events, Summerfest offers something for just about everyone. The work, time, resources and energy expended by Nick and Dawn and everyone else involved in the planning and coordination of Summerfest is to be commended.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the members of the Rolla Police Department, Rolla Fire and Rescue, Environmental Services, Public Works and Parks and Recreation Departments for providing support and services throughout the 2-day event. All of these departments work together seamlessly to provide the resources necessary to help make the Downtown Festival Park the centerpiece of this popular festival every year.
Although it takes tremendous teamwork and cooperation to pull off an event the size, duration and magnitude of Summerfest, the event is a testament to how well the business community, Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce, Rolla Downtown Business Association, downtown merchants, law enforcement agencies, the Friends of Tennis, and other volunteers and groups such as Arts Rolla, the South Central Regional Veterans Group, and many others pulled together to make this festival both enjoyable and memorable for all who attend. And while we are on the subject of identifying the many individuals and groups who make this event possible, I’d like to recognize the City’s very own Steve Hargis, Director of Public Works, who from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday night provided free mouth-watering, buttered popcorn to over 500 visitors during the Movies Under the Stars Double Feature at the Bandshell. Steve volunteered his entire Friday night to continuously pop and serve hundreds of cups of free popcorn (complements of the Parks and Recreation and Public Works Departments), which he has done at several Movies Under the Stars events in conjunction with Summerfest and the Rolla Area Chamber of Commerce. Some call him “Steve the Popcorn Man,” but I consider him also to be one of the best Public Works directors in the state of Missouri, and we are very fortunate to have Steve’s expertise, volunteer spirit and community-mindedness here at the City of Rolla. We appreciate all you do Steve, both at work and during the countless hours of volunteer time you log while serving the citizens of the area.
Fortunately, through foresight and vision, the Downtown Festival Park, where the Downtown Bandshell, Frisco Caboose, picnic area, and festival parking lots are located, can be used for a variety of community-wide festivals and activities, that include the Downtown Farmer’s Market, which is held every Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 12-noon. Other events held in the Downtown Festival Park include Movies Under the Stars, Music Under the Stars, outdoor concerts, the St. Pat’s celebration and coronation held in March, and Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The inaugural Parade of Nations event, being coordinated by Missouri University of Science and Technology, will culminate at the Downtown Bandshell on Saturday, Sept. 18, and I hope many of you will join us as the City joins the University in celebrating the rich culture and diversity that the students at Missouri S&T bring to our community.
In other summer festival related news, I have received official word from Jim Fels, President of the Lions Club, that the 75th Annual Rolla Lions Club Carnival will be held Thursday, July 1 through Sunday, July 4 at Rolla Lions Club Park located at 1061 S. Bishop Avenue (U.S. 63 South) in Rolla. This year the Rolla Lions Club will be raffling off a new 2010 Chevy Camaro, and the winner of the car will be announced on the evening of July 4 at midnight. The carnival midway opens at 7 p.m. every night. Wrist band nights (one price gets you unlimited entrance to all rides) are Thursday, July 1 and Saturday, July 3. There will also be a matinee on Saturday, July 3 from 1-4 p.m., when wrist bands also will be available. Two outstanding fireworks displays will be held during the Rolla Lions Club Carnival on Friday, July 2 at 11 p.m. and on Sunday, July 4 at 11 p.m. The matinee on Saturday, July 3 will be featuring some retro pricing at the hamburger and cotton candy stands. The evening session on July 3 will begin with a concert by the Missouri Lions All State High School Band. They will be playing for about 45 minutes in front of the fountain in the park. The concert will start at 5:45 p.m.
For a complete list of events for this four-day July 4th celebration, please visit http://www.rollalions.org/~lions/carnival. For more information, please call 573.364.4386.