Topeka EasterFest grows in fourth year

Food Trucks, entertainers, vendors will take part

Preparations are well under way for the fourth annual EasterFest –  the Topeka Easter Parade & Family Fun Fair, and organizers say requests for participation and information are coming in at a much faster pace than last year. They say the interest in being involved in the parade has increased each year, and over 80 vendor booths are planned for this year’s event. Several thousand people are expected to make their way to Garfield Park the day of the event, as dozens of churches, businesses and non-profit groups take part in the parade and fun fair.

The expansion this year to Garfield Park in North Topeka, with the parade taking place on North Kansas Avenue, allows for increased space for more vendors – both outside in the park and inside the Garfield Shelterhouse and Gym – as well as more convenient setup for entertainment and food trucks on site.

Bubble soccer was a big hit last year, and new activities planned for this year include mobile laser tag and an archery course. The Easter Egg Hunt, which will immediately follow the parade, has been enlarged and will include even more eggs this year. The fun fair will once again include many free kid’s activities, and pony rides and inflatables will be part of the fun this year as well.

This year’s event will take place on Saturday, April 15. The Easter Parade itself will start at 10:00 a.m., while the Fun Fair will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Staging for the parade will start at 8 a.m. in the parking lot directly east of NOTO Arts District. The Parade will move through NOTO and north to Garfield Park.

Many of the floats in last year’s parade had a definite Easter flavor, featuring crosses, empty tombs and Biblical characters, fulfilling the purpose of reminding observers of the true meaning of the holiday. Others featured more of a fun-loving, lighthearted theme, including floats with eggs & bunnies, classic cars, big trucks and other types of motorized and walking entries.

Live performers will be on hand all day, including musical acts, dance troupes, praise bands, fitness & gymnastics demonstrations, martial arts and more, performing both inside and outside.

The event is coordinated by C5Alive, a part of the Capital City Christian Chamber of Commerce. For more information, email info@C5Alive.org or call 785-640-6399. Updated details about the 2017 event can be found at www.C5Alive.org, TopekaEasterParade.com or on Facebook.