Hospital barbecue venue changes

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Fun, food and prizes will find their way to the Weston County Fairgrounds on July 13, thanks to Weston County Health Services and its annual community barbecue. 
The local hospital started the event five years ago as a way to thank the community that supports them, according to CEO Maureen Cadwell. 
“It is our way of thanking the community for their support,” Cadwell said. That support begins with the tax revenue the hospital district receives and now includes the 1% optional tax approved for the remodel and expansion project that was completed a year ago. 
The hospital’s executive assistant, Denice Pisciotti, reported that staff from the facility, along with board members, will prepare and serve a meal that includes hamburgers and all the fixings. Six different bouncy houses, musical entertainment, cotton candy and snow cones will provide the fun on the fairgrounds lawn that afternoon. 
The event was held in the past at Dow Park. But, Pisciotti said, the fairgrounds has better parking facilities and overall space for the event. 
“Last year we had over 800 people and, not that Dow Park isn’t big, but the area there for electricity and serving food is much smaller,” Pisciotti said. “There is just more availability at the fairgrounds.” 
Manor residents are also better able to attend because wheelchair and walker access is greater at the fairgrounds, she said. 
“We will not be having water slides this year due to a change in vendors for the bouncy houses, but we will still have six different bouncy houses for the children,” Pisciotti said. “We will also be having old-fashioned races, like the three-legged race, stick horse races and other games.” 
Manor residents made the stick horses for the races, she said. 
People are asked to leave their pets at home if they come to the barbecue from 4 to 7 p.m. on July 13.