Community Corner

Lilydaze Debuts Sept. 17 in Lilydale

The city's first festival to bring together residents offers exposure for local businesses too.

How do you create a community festival from scratch? Plenty of discussion over cinnamon-raisin cookies helps.

Lilydale businesses and residents have done just that—meeting throughout the summer to put together the first-ever trademarked “Lilydaze” event, scheduled for 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 at and the Stonebridge businesses.

The event was built detail-by-detail by a group of local residents, business owners and city staff, often gathering over refreshments at City Hall.

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While planners have worked to keep things simple this year, the idea has grown from the ice cream social in the parking lot that was initially pitched.

The event will feature music from Lilydale residents, comedy provided by the , exercise class demonstrations, booths from local businesses (Patch will be there!), free massage, grilling demonstrations and raffles.

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Food will be available from Lilydale restaurants , , and .

The event will be MC'd by comedian Tom Baumgartner, which was arranged by Ken Reed, owner of the Joke Joint.

"We support Lilydale in whatever goes on. We love the community here," said Reed. "We’re hopeful for the best."

To promote the event, volunteers have hand-delivered flyers to most of the town’s 600+ residents, though Lilydale Mayor Anita Pamusch said she encourages residents from neighboring towns to stop by.

Even the event’s logo and design, featuring a calla lily, was designed this summer by a former Lilydale resident, Chris Bowles. “I love the community and just wanted to be a part of it,” said Bowles.

The logo reflects the adult population of Lilydale, as does the festival itself.

Rather than focusing on kiddie rides and snow cones, the festival is predominately focused on fun activities that adults can enjoy, as well as promotion of the Lilydale businesses taking part.

For history buffs, information about the history of Lilydale and City Hall itself will be available inside City Hall. Information on the former Tennis Club site development will also be available.

 

Schedule:

1-1:10 p.m.

Introduction by Ken Reed of the Joke Joint Comedy Club

Introduction of the Lilydale Mayor and City Council

1:10-1:30 p.m.

Piano Duets—Lilydazzler Duo Elizabeth Indihar and Annette Conklin

1:30-1:35 p.m.

First raffle drawing

2-2:10 p.m.

Guitar Duet—Tim Pampusch and Marc Conklin

2:10-2:15 p.m.

Second Raffle Drawing

3-3:10 p.m.

Comedy from the Joke Joint Comedy Club

4-4:20 p.m.

Piano Duets—Lilydazzler Duo Elizabeth Indihar and Annette Conklin

4:30-4:50 p.m.

Snapdragon—Steve Sanders (children’s music and activities)


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