#Celebrate: Community BBQ and picnic planned for next weekend

#Celebrate: Community BBQ and picnic planned for next weekend - A person in a pool of water - Palm trees

It’s only fitting that Marathon celebrate the 15th anniversary of the incorporation at one of the town’s greatest assets — the Community Park.

The party is set for Nov. 29 from noon to 5 p.m. with an assortment of free rides and games and free water, soda and hot dogs.

“We are going to have mechanical rides for the kids. A 20-foot slide, Velcro obstacle course and a lot of our community’s non-profit organizations will be there with free goodies like cotton candy and sno-cones for the little ones,” said Parks and Rec Director Jimmy Schmidt.

He started his career with the city more than 10 years ago and has witnessed the completion of many parks and their upgrades — most notably the opening of Oceanfront Park between 99 and 98th Streets.

At the birthday party, a music jam will take place from 3:30 to 5 p.m. where aspiring and professional musicians will be using the stage as a free-for-all musical explosion.

Schmidt is also organizing a cornhole tournament and will be bringing out the basketball hoops and a gigantic 12-foot checkerboard.

“It’s all about celebrating the city,” Schmidt said. “It’s for the parents to listen to music and the kids to play.” And while alcoholic beverage will not be sold, organizers said cooler and red solo cups are permitted. (This is Marathon, after all.)

Jason Koler
Jason Koler, born in Florida and raised in Ohio, is the “better looking and way smarter” Keys Weekly publisher. When not chasing his children or rubbing his wife’s feet, he enjoys folding laundry and performing experimental live publishing.