Grant Township picnic returning

Grant Township Supervisor Kay Starostovic said board members never wanted to end the community picnic two years ago, but they had little choice.

"The attendance was way down, and the cost of the picnic was going up," she said.

However, after complaints from township residents and a push by township trustees, the picnic is returning Aug. 8, Starostovic said. And, she hopes, a large crowd will once again turn out.

"We really want to do it for the residents because so many people loved it so much," she said. "So, we are bringing it back."

The picnic was established more than a decade ago as an informal community gathering designed to help raise money to build the park behind the Grant Township Center at 26725 W. Molidor Road.

As years went on, the event turned into the "Picnic in the Park" before its cancellation in 2008.

When the event was canceled, attendance and volunteerism were down about 50 percent from its heyday about a decade ago, Starostovic said.

But support for the picnic has grown since the announcement it would return, she said.

"We are really excited it's coming back," she said. "And, we've heard nothing but good things about it coming back."

The craft faire again seems to be the highlight of the afternoon fun, said township assistant administrator Nancy Rogers. Roughly 45 crafters have signed up to show their wares during the picnic.

A deejay also will be on hand to play music and interact with the crowd, Rogers said.

There will be food, beverages, and other treats for the crowd to purchase, and children will have an afternoon of activities all ready for them, she added.

The picnic is scheduled to begin immediately after the Grant Township 5K Run/Walk. Registration is at 7 a.m., with the walk/run starting at 8 a.m. The cost of the 5K is $15 for those who preregister, and $20 for those who register the day of the race.

No time has been set for the picnic to end.

All the money raised from the picnic goes to funding additional events at Grant Township, Rogers said. Admission is free. For more information, call the township at (847) 740-2233, or check out the website at granttownshipcenter.org.

"We really need that support we once had to keep this alive," Starostovic said. "Events like this have been recognized by the board as very important to residents, and we want to continue doing this as long as we possibly can."