Birdseye gears up for 25th annual party

BySpecial From Ferdinand News Reading Time: 3 minutes

Both the Birdseye Park Department and Fire Department depend on an annual picnic for help with funding.

As with most in Dubois County, the Fire Department is a volunteer endeavor. The Birdseye Park Department is almost such when it comes to funding. Although an appointed board under the auspices of the Town Council governs the park, the Town budget only allots $1,500 for park management, plus a few additional perks, although next year that figure will increase to $3,000.

Still, that’s not a lot of money to manage a park for an entire year. The 25th annual Birdseye Picnic at the Birdseye Park will be held this weekend. Organizers invite everyone to “come enjoy delicious dinners with Marilyn Berg’s famous German Potato Salad and the fire department’s delicious fried chicken.”

In addition to that, food choices on Saturday include BBQ chicken and rib dinners, all served with the German potato salad, baked beans and slaw.

Sandwiches and snacks will be available Thursday night with an expanded menu, including pulled pork, burgers, dogs, walking tacos and more that can be purchased Friday night.

Other foods will also be available, along with games for kids, a bounce house and more.

Entertainment is always top notch, with The Hiding on Friday night and the Linda Smith Band on Saturday night, plus Tom Spencer, Gospel, Kings Ridge and special performances by the Forest Park Dance Team and Forest Park Color Guard/Band.

A new event this year was a Cruisein, held last Sunday, August 16. More than 70 entries participated, including antique cars, motorcycles and several Jeeps. The 72-mile trip took participants through every town in the county and ended at the Birdseye Park for a giant celebration.

“It was a great time. There was a great turn-out,” said participant and Birdseye Park Board President Janet Partenheimer.

Plans are to make this an annual event, but meanwhile, the Birdseye Park and Fire Department Annual Picnic is set to commence this Thursday night.

Events and contact numbers:

  • 5K run to be held Saturday, August 22, beginning at the Pentecostal Church at 8 a.m. Call 812-639-3113 for more information.
  • Annual Car Show at Birdseye Christian Church. Call 812-631-1949 for more information. Chester Bayer will be DJ again this year.
  • 3 on 3 basketball contest begins at 9 a.m. Saturday. Call 812-389-2567 for more information.
  • Sidewalk Chalk Contest Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Call Margie Cooper at 812-389-2208 for more information.
  • Volleyball contest at 9 a.m. Saturday. Call 812-389-2567 for more information.
  • Baby Photo Contest — vote with your change for the prettiest baby. Call 812-389-2416 for more information.

If interested in next year’s Cruisein, call Pam and Jeff Englert at 812-309-8075.

All events take place in the park unless otherwise noted. So, make plans to enjoy events from Thursday evening through midnight Saturday at the Birdseye Park and remember, you are helping fund fire protection for the town of Birdseye and maintenance of the town park.

See you there!

Events schedule

THURSDAY 8.20.15
7 PM Euchre Tournament – Deb’s Truck Stop
Sandwiches/Fries/Drinks/Desserts will be available

FRIDAY 8.21.15
4 PM Hamburger Stand Opens
Pulled Pork, Cheeseburgers, Walking Tacos, Hot Dogs,
Coney Dogs, Pizza Burgers and more.
4 PM Kids Games / Bouncy House
6 PM NEW EVENT – Cake Walk
6 PM Corn Hole Tournament registration begins
6:30 PM Corn Hole Tournament begins
7-10 PM Entertainment • The Hiding – Main Stage

SATURDAY 8.22.15
8 AM 5K Walk/Run – Pentecostal Church parking lot
8 AM Car/Truck/Motorcycle Show – Birdseye Christian Church parking lot
9 AM 3 on 3 Basketball Tourney – at the park
9 AM Volleyball Tourney
10 AM Sidewalk Chalk & Face Painting
10 AM Kids Games / Bouncy House
10 AM Bake Sale
10 AM “Pretty Baby” Photo Contest
11 AM Main Food Booth Opens
Fried Chicken, BBQ Chicken, BBQ Ribs,
German Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Slaw
1 PM Horseshoe Tourney – the Park
2-4 PM Gospel Singing – Main Stage
5 PM NEW EVENT – Bingo – the Park
5 PM State Champ FP Dance Team Performs
5:30 PM Color Guard/Band
6 PM Kings Ridge Music (Dinner Music)
8-11 PM Entertainment • Linda Smith Band – Main Stage

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