The Topeka Easter Parade & Family Fun Fest will be back for the third consecutive year on Saturday, March 26, 2016. Last Year’s event was 
attended by over two thousand people who made their way to Gage Park to watch the parade, visit the Fun Fair, listen to live music and take part in the egg hunt or other activities.
Dozens of churches, businesses and non-profit organizations take part in the parade, and dozens more set up vendor booths and kids’ games in the park as part of the family fun fair. Besides lots of floats and all shapes and sizes of other vehicles, the parade also consists of walking entries such as schools, military groups, marching bands, costumed characters and more. The event is coordinated by the Capital City Christian Chamber of Commerce (C5).
“We’re expecting an even bigger turnout than last year,” said Drew Walker, Parade Coordinator. “It just keeps growing every year, and we expect that to continue.”
This year the Fun Fair will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in and around Big Gage Shelter, as well as inside the Zoo and at the Amphitheatre. The Egg Hunt is at 9 a.m., and the parade starts at 9:30 a.m., with vendor booths, food trucks, entertainment and kid’s activities going on all afternoon.
The food trucks are a new addition this year, and judging from past experience, they will be a big draw at this year’s fair. They will also provide more food options that will enable families to stay at the park longer to enjoy the festivities. The food trucks will be set up around Westlake Shelter, near the Amphitheatre.
The Family Fun Fair consists of activities geared toward children and families, as well as booths, exhibits, and other activities such as Easter crafts, children’s games, scavenger hunts, facepainting, photo booth, baked goods and more. The activities inside the Topeka Zoo will have an Oz theme, and will be tied to various animals in the zoo. These activities will also help raise awareness for the American Heart Association.
Live performers will be on hand all day, including jazz bands, dance troupes, praise bands, fitness & gymnastics demonstrations and more, performing in the Gage Park Amphitheatre, as well as at Big Gage Shelter.
For more information, email info@C5Alive.org or call 785640-6399. Information can also be found at www.C5Alive.org, www.TopekaEasterParade.com or the facebook page Topeka Easter Parade & Family Fun Fair.
