In the mood for a laid-back evening with friends, food, and live music? Then, plan to be at Newburgh, Indiana’s Friedman Park (2700 Park Blvd.) this Saturday for Party in Paradise, presented by ERA First Advantage Realty.
“Party in Paradise raises about $60,000 each year. This is our No. 1 fundraiser,” says Warrick Parks Foundation Executive Director, Laurel Meny.
All net profit is split evenly between Warrick Trails (which builds the county’s walking and biking trails) and the Warrick Parks Foundation (which provides supplemental funding to help the Warrick Parks Department maintain the parks and trails). Meny says the organizations are earmarking proceeds for their maintenance fund and a few projects at Friedman Park.
Party in Paradise — so named for the unincorporated Warrick County township upon which Friedman Park was built — keeps things casual with live music, cold beer, and lots of treats. This year’s attendees can enjoy performances by opening act Holland Exit, a rock band from nearby Lynnville, Indiana, and headliner Bluewater Kings, an up to 14-member Midwestern band that covers popular hits across multiple genres and decades (think ‘90s Garth Brooks, Nat King Cole, and Camila Cabello). Kevin Reimer of KWR Ventures is the band sponsor.
“We want it to be affordable and a fun way to get together in a laid-back atmosphere,” Meny says. “It’s a great cross-section of the community. That’s what I love about it: I see my friends, my parents, my parents’ friends.”
Plenty of food trucks — “always a huge hit,” she says — will be set up for noshing. New Evansville restaurant The Barrel House joins vendors from Bea Sweet Treats, Bruce Li, Chino Taco, Crazy Daisy’s, JB’s Barnyard, La Plaza Food Truck, Prime Time Pub & Grill, Sassy Sweets, and Stuft to keep guests’ bellies full.
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Galleries is sponsoring the food court and will provide free water throughout the event. Because Party in Paradise attendees must be over age 21, guests also can enjoy adult beverages — including wine and seltzers, which are new offerings this year — provided by sponsor Coors Light. Outside food and drinks are not permitted.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own blankets and lawn chairs to spread out on and relax, but don’t forget to pop into the photobooth sponsored by Salon One and snap a cute keepsake picture. Organizers are expecting more than 2,000 people to attend this year’s event.
Gold-level sponsors include 104.1 WIKY, Lamar Outdoor, Medical Cosmetic Center, and Mistletoe & Ivy. Silver-level sponsors include Alpha Laser and Imaging, Brilys Magical Mirror, Brumley Photography, Colonial Classics, Tucker Publishing Group, Greg M Charnes II – Financial Advisor, Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, Lawn Masters, Renewable Resources, Southwest Grafix, and Tri-State Orthopaedics.
Tickets cost $10 — the same as in years past — through this Friday, and then increase to $20 at the gate Saturday.