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by Pat Lindsey

Just as peaceful protests turned violent in St. Louis, the City of Black Jack held its Harvest Moon Festival without any problems whatsoever. Instead, Black Jack residents enjoyed an afternoon and evening of free entertainment, refreshments, and a long list of activities, such as a tennis clinic, youth flag football scrimmages, basketball shooting, soccer, volleyball, soccer, and hayrides at Harold Evangelista on Saturday, Sept. 16.

Children were able to bounce to their hearts’ content in an inflated castle and cool off with unlimited frosty treats and beverages. Cindy’s Zoo provided opportunities for the kids to pet a variety of animals and marvel at a gigantic turtle. When they got hungry, they could purchase food from the Just My Taste food truck.

In the evening, the Christian Embassy Church Choir performed, and young and old alike danced to the music of The Foundation on the basketball court. When it was time for the band to call it a night, everyone clamored for more. By then, it was time for the fireworks display that lit the sky over the entire park. A St. Louis County police helicopter and police officers, Chris Pignataro and Frank Kardasz, and others were on hand for the event, but they enjoyed the festivities as much as everyone else, knowing that Black Jack was a safe place for families to have fun without worrying about protestors.

The City of Black Jack has held city festivals every fall, but this was the first time it was a daytime and evening event that climaxed with fireworks. This one, chaired by Ben Allen, Sr., was so successful that Mayor Norm McCourt said, “I think we’ll start even earlier in the day next year.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Fireworks concluded the Harvest Moon Festival at Harold Evangelista Park in Black Jack on Sept. 16  ~~  Bob Lindsey photo

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