The ninth annual Path to Fitness 5K takes place this Saturday at Hancock Wellness Center.
Submitted photo
MCCORDSVILLE – It’s all about community spirit this weekend in McCordsville as two events are lined up to bring neighbors together.
The Path to Fitness 5K begins at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, raising money for a fund that improves the town’s parks and pathways.
In the evening, the inaugural Party in the Park kicks off with free family fun from 6-9 p.m. Saturday in McCordsville Town Hall Park.
Niki Jones, community outreach coordinator for the town of McCordsville, has been busy coordinating both events. While the events are not directly connected to each other, both are ways for people to come together and get to know their neighbors in an ever-expanding community.
“Since we’re out that morning anyway welcoming our community (at the 5K), I thought we could just have a celebration later that evening and have a lot of fun things for the local community to do,” she said.
Jones and Tim Gropp, town manager, have been working with RaceMaker to coordinate the 5K walk/run. The ninth annual event started as an annual tradition to promote a healthy community and raise money for park improvements. Proceeds go toward the Building a Brighter McCordsville fund through the Community Foundation of Hancock County. Cost is $25, or $10 for children 12 and under. The run starts at Hancock Wellness Center in McCordsville.
Jones will switch gears after that event to set up the Party in the Park, which will be in the open area adjacent to McCordsville Town Hall, 6280 W. 800N.
Food trucks will be available for items to purchase; free activities include bounce houses, music, face painting, an inflatable obstacle course, trampoline and ax throwing. Local business vendors will be on site, as well as a caricature artist.
Bring a lawn chair to watch the “The Super Mario Bros Movie” at dusk.
Jones said while McCord Square is being constructed to host future town events, it’s still important to bring the community together now. There has been a lot of buzz on social media about the upcoming Party in the Park, and she’s hoping for a strong turnout.
“Most people that have moved out to McCordsville have fallen in love with the small town feel of it,” she added. “And with it growing, it’s in danger of losing that tight-knit community feeling. I want to bring these events to bring the community together.”
At a glance
-The ninth annual McCordsville Path to Fitness 5K and one-mile fun run is set for 8 a.m. Aug. 19 at Hancock Wellness Center, 8505 N. Clearview Drive, McCordsville. Proceeds from the 5K go toward the Building a Brighter McCordsville fund through the Community Foundation of Hancock County. The fund provides grants to make park improvements and upgrades.
Registration is $25, children 12 and under are $10. Learn more at facebook.com/townofmccordsville, or hancockwellbeing.org.
-The first Party in the Park is 6-9 p.m. Aug. 19 at McCordsville Town Hall Park, 6280 W. 800N., McCordsville. Free family fun includes ax throwing, trampoline, bounce house and inflatable obstacle course, music, face painting, balloon twisting, caricature artist and local business vendors. Bring a lawn chair to watch “The Super Mario Bros Movie” at dusk; vendors will have food available for purchase.
