Festival History

The festival began in 2021, at a time when communities were just starting to come back together after the isolation of COVID. What started as a simple idea quickly turned into something much bigger. When Ron Miller posted on Facebook asking for volunteers to help build a playground at Stoneco Park, the need was clear. While the baseball diamonds were full of kids playing, their siblings had nowhere to go.

That first evening, 13 people showed up, bringing with them a shared vision and a willingness to build something meaningful for the Whiteford community. From that meeting, the idea of hosting a festival as a fundraising effort was born.

After the very first festival, the group raised enough funds to install its first swing set—a small but powerful step forward. Momentum continued to build. After three additional festivals, Phase One of the playground was completed, featuring a large play structure designed for children ages 6–12.

Now, after a total of six festivals, the project continues to grow. The next phase is focused on creating a space for younger children, ages 0–5, ensuring that the playground truly serves families of all ages.

What began with 13 volunteers has grown into a major community effort. To date, the festival has raised over $400,000 toward the playground project. The team remains committed and energized, and once the playground is complete, they plan to turn back to the community to help decide what project to take on next.

Coming Soon!