BY KADIE VICK
THE LAFAYETTE SUN
LANETT — The city of Lanett and The Valley Local are hosting the Festival on the Square June 8 from 3 to 6:30 p.m. with the hopes of bringing the community together to celebrate summer.
“The square will be closed off, and people can park throughout the area to walk to the event,” said Director of The Valley Local, Sara Crutchfield. “There are tables and chairs set up for people, and the National Guard is coming and bringing lots of different entertainment for the kids to enjoy for free. It’s just a fun community event to get everyone together on Sundays once a month.”
Crutchfield said she hopes that this event will create a space where community members can gather and enjoy local small businesses, food and entertainment.
“I hope that they enjoy developing relationships with their neighbors or other people within their community that they may not know, and trying different food and local shopping,” she said. “I want it to give everyone something to look forward to once a month, to get them out of the house and into the community.”
The Festival on the Square event has grown over the years, and represents the investment of The Valley Local and many other organizations that support the community.
“We want to use this event to show everyone what we are doing,” Crutchfield said. “Over time, the Festival on the Square event has grown significantly. This year, I think we’re up to 20 vendors and food trucks, and it’ll only get better every time.”
The community has enjoyed The Festival on the Square events and has responded positively to the opportunity to enjoy the festivities as well as spend a relaxing afternoon with their friends and neighbors.
“Last year, after the event, some visitors were talking about how nice downtown Lanett is and how peaceful it was to sit out in the shade at the nice tables and chairs and enjoy their dinner on a Sunday evening,” Crutchfield added. People also really enjoy the bingo.”
The Valley Local hopes that The Festival on the Square and the other events they hold will promote community growth and pride in downtown Lanett. More information for The Festival on the Square and other local events can be found at www.thevalleylocal.org/.
“The Valley Local is a nonprofit organization that hosts events throughout the greater Valley area to give back to the community, by having events to get the community together,” Crutchfield said. “We also take any money raised from the events and give it back to the community by donating it to the senior centers and other nonprofit organizations. Where we see a need, that’s where we give.”
Crutchfield said she is passionate about her community and enjoys hosting events that support local commerce and promote community.
“I love Chambers County, I was born and raised here, and still reside here with my family,” she said. “I believe that events bring the community together and help to build relationships, and it also gives more opportunities to the small businesses within the community to get out and share what they have to offer.”
