Several children were on hand to enjoy the playground equipment during the Fairfax Improvement Foundation’s Octoberfest celebration at the park Saturday, October 27.

Corey Martin, left, with Enel was presented a framed certificate from Marilyn Alldredge, right, with Fairfax Improvement Foundation, for Enel’s over $60,000 contribution to the playground project in Fairfax.

Fairfax Improvement Foundation unveiled their park project sign at their Octoberfest celebration.

Jack Vernon dumps the hot dogs on the grill for Fairfax Improvement Foundation’s Octoberfest celebration at the park Saturday, October 27.

State Representative Allen Andrews was a guest speaker at the Fairfax Improvement Foundation’s Octoberfest celebration October 27.

The Fairfax Improvement Foundation (FIF) hosted an Octoberfest celebration Saturday, October 27, 2018, at the Fairfax City Park. About 125 people were present to recognize the donors for the new playground equipment and improvements to the park. The program was followed by a cookout of hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, baked beans, chips, cookies and drinks.

A welcome was given by Bob Alldredge, project chairman, and McKenzie Frohn sang the “Star Spangle Banner.” Pastor Andrew Sanders of the Fairfax United Methodist Church gave a blessing on the event.

Bob gave an overview of the FIF project and how the entire project came to fruition and completion.

Marilyn Alldredge and Ginny Vernon presented framed certificates to major donors who were recognized at the event. Those honorees included: Enel Green Power of America, Inc., Missouri’s Masonic Home, the Family of Keith G. Seymour by Donna Seymour, Atchison County Development Corporation, David Portis in Memory of Donna Portis, Dee and Kristi Duering Family, Rosalee Sly Seymour, Advanced Pork Systems, Fairfax Kiwanis Club, Fairfax Optimist Club, Jim and Pat Fisher Family, Fertilizer Service Co. – Bruce and Logan Pyeatt, Farmers State Bank – Fairfax, NorthwestCell/Midwest Data Center, the Warren and Evalyn Charitable Residual Trust Fund, Ernest Knight and Todd Fogg of National Playground Equipment Co., and the City of Fairfax Staff.

All donors for the project were appreciated and were listed on the back of the program. Many volunteers helped make the installation complete, along with others assisting on various duties and were listed as well.

Also recognized were those connected with the restroom renewal project, the planting of the new trees in the park, and the Fairfax Elementary students who had painted the picnic tables in the park and other areas of Fairfax. The students were also given a framed certificate.

Danny Kemerling spoke on the grant project connected with Missouri Natural Resources and the use of disposed tires in the padding on the playground. Danny and Bob Carlock worked on the grant with assistance of others, and the FIF was awarded the $30,000 grant. State Representative Allen Andrews was introduced and recognized for his assistance in getting the grant expedited. Rep. Andrews in turn offered much praise for the Fairfax people and their ability to work so well together in keeping Fairfax viable.

A pre-designed replica of the sign to go near the playground was unveiled. The actual sign will be installed at a later date, possibly in the spring. Ryan Kingery, Fairfax mayor, spoke and presented a plaque to the FIF for their accomplishments with the park project.

Others assisting with the event on Saturday included: Miss Fairfax Jaycee Graves, Jr. Miss Fairfax Payton Woodring, Krys Carlock, Jill Kingery, Crystal Woodring, Aimee Seymour, Chelsea Miller, and the Masonic Lodge grilling team of Jack Vernon, Jimmy Paris, and Kelly Dougherty.