By Sue Stefko
(Appeared in the Glebe Report, August 2025)
The Glebe Annex Community Association hosted yet another Party in the Park on June 21st. We could not have asked for a better day! After last year’s cold and gloomy weather, for this event, the day was warm, sunny and crisp, much to the relief of the organizers.
This year we were excited to feature Bert the bubble guy, who was a hit with adults and children alike. Both got to watch to watch him demonstrate how to make some spectacular, shimmering bubbles, as well as to try some bubble making out on their own. Diana, a volunteer from the community, set up a pollinator craft area near the pollinator garden, which featured educational material about pollinators as well as a colouring activity. With the help of our DJ Morris, as well as Gabrielle, one of the key organizers, we also ran some games for the kids and kids at heart, including freeze dance, an egg and spoon race, and the ever-popular three-legged race.
While, as always, this year included a mix of ages, we had the most children that we ever remember hosting, which we were thrilled to see. Between the park playground equipment, the pollinator area, the games and the bubbles, we had enough to keep them occupied and having fun! Of course, no party is complete without food, and we once again held a barbecue and Gabrielle and Neil made their now-famous crepes. While some of our previous sponsors were not able to help us this year, we were grateful to have two repeat sponsors, Abbas Grocery and Massine’s Independent, who enabled us to put on the spread.
While we regularly host other events, the free Party in the Park is our keystone event of the year. It is a wonderful opportunity for neighbours to linger, snack, catch up, as well as to make new friends in the neighbourhood.
GACA is now taking a bit of a summer break before coming back in the fall, which will feature another community clean up and our spooky Halloween event, which will feature treat bags for the children and weather permitting, an outside Halloween photo booth. This will be our third Halloween at the park, with the first two being incredibly popular, bringing in children, pets and adults from across the community to get their photos taken.
We’re appreciative of all the volunteers and the attendees who made this year’s Party in the Park a resounding success – we are already looking forward to the next one!
Photos by Gabrielle Dallaporta
- Many of the adults wisely chose to sit under the shade of the gazebo during the event!
- And they’re off! The three-legged race gets underway.
- Enjoying some snacks as part of the barbecue.
