By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green is invited to a picnic on Sunday.
“Everybody’s invited,” said Emily Dunipace, a member of the Not In Our Town committee planning the first Multifaith Summer Celebration in City Park on Sunday, Aug. 4, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Kiwanis Shelter.
Hot dogs, chips and water will be provided, but families are also welcome to bring their own meals.
The goal of the event is multi-fold – to build on the fellowship started during the annual Interfaith Breakfasts each spring, to expand on Not In Our Town’s role in the community, and to bring families together for a picnic.
“After the Interfaith Breakfast, we thought it was so successful,” said Megan Smith-Espen. “We wanted to build on that community inclusive environment. This is a welcoming community.”
The breakfast is attended by about 250 each spring, but organizers realize not everyone can make a morning event during the week. So the picnic idea was born.
“We want to make it more family oriented,” Dunipace said.
And in the process, Not In Our Town organizers hope such events create a more proactive role for the group.
“Bigger picture for Not In Our Town, we want to be more of the social fabric of Bowling Green,” Dunipace said. “Especially in the climate we have now.”
In an effort to be more than a reactionary organization to hate incidents, Not In Our Town plans to start holding more community events – once a month if possible.
Sunday’s picnic has a variety of events for all ages. “There’s something for everybody,” Dunipace said.
There will be face painting, bubbles, corn hole games, music, a snow cone machine, and a scavenger hunt.
Though billed as a “multifaith celebration,” the event won’t focus on religion.
“We wanted everyone to know they are welcome regardless of their faith,” Dunipace said. There will be an opportunity for those participating to learn about different faiths.
“So kids and adults can walk away with knowledge they didn’t have before,” she said.
The event will build on the inclusiveness of the community.
“It’s a diverse group of folks. This shows we can play together,” said Not In Our Town member Karla Davis-McGowan.
Several community members and groups have contributed to make the picnic possible. They include Lynn and Betty Wineland, BG Parks and Recreation, First Presbyterian Church, Sundae Station, Megan Smith-Espen, Kyle Entemann and Kim Sockman.
“We’ve had a tremendous outpouring of support through donations,” Dunipace said.
The planning committee for the event includes Dunipace, Smith-Espen, Davis-McGowan, Matt Every, Tom Klein, Chris Dunn, Heather Sayler and Kim Sockman.
People planning to attend the Multifaith Summer Celebration are asked to RSVP by email to rsvp@bgfcc.org by Friday. But Dunipace assured that there will be plenty of food for those who don’t RSVP but decide to attend.
