Easter in August? Sure, it’s right after Christmas in July!

We all know that Easter falls on various days every year, but never before has it been celebrated as late as August. However, this year the celebration was delayed from the official date by the pandemic.

But EasterFest organizers were not deterred from continuing on with the celebration, planning to celebrate late, but just as heartily!

“Christians celebrate the Resurrection in a small way every Sunday, so August is as good a time as any to have our big annual celebration,” a spokesperson said.

Thus, the seventh annual EasterFest, the Topeka Easter Parade & Fun Fair, will return to North Topeka on Saturday, August 29, 2020.

Over three thousand people attended last year to watch the parade, visit the Fun Fair, listen to live music, visit over 70 vendor & exhibit booths, attend the Health Fair and take part in the big egg hunt or other activities.

Every year, dozens of churches, businesses and non-profit organizations take part in the parade, and dozens more set up vendor booths and kids’ games as part of the family fun fair. There have been lots of floats with a variety of themes, and all shapes and sizes of other vehicles, as well as walking entries such as schools, military groups, marching bands and more. The event is coordinated by C5Alive, a Christian leadership offshoot of the Capital City Christian Chamber of Commerce (C5).

“We’ve had a great response and new entries each year at EasterFest,” said Drew Walker, Entertainment Coordinator. “I expect it to just keep growing every year.”

Again this year the Easter Parade will be on North Kansas Avenue, from NOTO Arts District to Garfield Park, followed by the Big Egg Hunt in the Garfield Park playground area. From 10am to 3pm, vendor booths, food trucks and kid’s activities will be happening all over Garfield Park, inside the shelterhouse and inside the gym. This year, even more churches, non-profit organizations, schools and local businesses are expected to enter floats and marching bands, etc., in the parade, as well as set up activity booths at the fun fair.

The Family Fun Fair will consist of activities geared toward children and families, as well as health & wellness vendor booths, vendor exhibits, and more. Live performers will be on hand all day, such as jazz bands, dance troupes, praise bands, solo artists, street entertainers, fitness demonstrators and more.

Back this year at EasterFest is Bingo at the Vendor Market, with great prizes valued at over $20 donated by the vendors and sponsors. The Ball Toss will be back, with a chance to win a bicycle, and the ever-popular cake walk returns as well. The Easter Bunny will be back to take pictures with the kids this year too! Facepainting, pony rides, petting zoo and food trucks are always among the most popular attractions, as well as archery, bubble soccer and of course the free entertainment.

There is still room for more EasterFest sponsors and participants for the Vendor Market, Entertainment Stage, Food Court and Health Fair. Volunteers are also needed to help with the entire event.

READ: How to safely enjoy Kansas state parks during Memorial Day weekend

Major sponsors for EasterFest 2020 include Integrity Insurance, Peggy Beasterfeld Tax & Accounting, Metro Voice News, Carnival Guy, Solid Rock Sound Machine, rezit designs, Health & Wellness Magazine, The Pad Restaurant, Golden Eagle Casino and First Southern Baptist Church.

For more information, visit www.TopekaEasterParade.com, email info@C5Alive.org or call 785-640-6399.

–Lee Hartman | Metro Voice

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