Arts & Entertainment
Washington Adventist University Family Fun Day to Attract Countywide Crowd
Started in 1999, the festival began as a project of the city of Takoma, but was eventually transitioned to WAU
Washington Adventist University’s annual Family Fun Festival will bring in an estimated 1200 to 1800 visitors from not only Takoma Park, but the surrounding counties on Apr. 10.
“We’re trying to be good neighbors and bring people together and spring is a good time to do it,” said Bruce Peifer, vice president of alumni relations at Washington Adventist University, which is in its third year of officially hosting the event. “We have a community mission and this really helps us with that.”
Started in 1999, the festival began as a project of the city of Takoma, but was eventually transitioned to WAU.
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“It’s been a comfortable transition; at the beginning, they would supply us with chairs and tables, but now we do all that by ourselves,” Peifer said. “ It’s evolved into the family fun festival, which is a play on words with the family-friendly radio station that sponsors it.”
WGTS, the Christian radio station housed on the campus is in its second year of sponsoring the festival and managing all the music this year and brings American Idol finalist Jason Castro to the main stage.
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“We decided we would team up with them because they have a strong listener base in the area,” said Cheryl Cathlin, WAU alumni relations coordinator. “It'll be a family friendly event and we wanted to capture their listener base and provide good wholesome entertainment.”
The school does not make profit from the festival, charging food vendors and merchants a minimal fee to rent space in the grassy area in the middle of school, known as the “commons.”
“There is a tremendous effort to break even, but this is not designed making money, it’s for making friends,” Peifer said. The festival is held in conjunction with alumni weekend, where former graduates come back for worship, a picnic and a basketball game.
This year, another major sponsor of the festival is the Washington Adventist Hospital, which will bring free health screenings. Healthy Groove, a mobile health van, is also providing vegetarian samples and a display on healthy living.
“We're also focusing on healthy living, though there will still be funnel cakes,” Cathlin said. “We'll have Thai, Caribbean and all sorts of diverse food in addition to the vegetarian cuisine.”
The Family Fun Festival used to be called the “Taste of Takoma” when it was run by the city, but the two festivals still have the themes of diversity and supporting local business.
“We want to help business owners reach out to new clientele,” Cathlin said. “We’ve invited vendors from all over Montgomery County to come in and serve their food, in addition to the petting zoo, puppet shows and moon bounce. The only thing that is not free is the food and what the vendors are selling.”
Want to go?
Where: The University Commons at 7600 Flower Avenue, Takoma Park
What: The 12th Annual Family Fun Festival
Who: Hosted by the Washington Adventist University, featuring live performances, food vendors and family-friendly activities
When: April 10, 12 – 5 p.m.
Why: To support local business and meet your neighbors
