More than 1,600 people came to High Park Saturday evening for the Derby Community Coalition Promoting Healthy Choices’ (DCCPHC) second annual Summer Fest event.

"Our whole family came and even our high school son enjoyed the movie,” Derby resident Stephanie Sterling said. “It’s a great wholesome family activity. 

“That's what makes Derby such a great place to live – they value the family."

Sterling’s 9-year-old daughter, Sarah Sterling, agreed.

"I liked the movie and the games,” she said. 

Organizers and attendants alike agreed that this year’s event was bigger and better than ever.

“It was just an overwhelming success,” Derek Smith, Summer Fest organizer and  Director of Administration at the Derby Recreation Commission, said. “There was a ton more people. A ton more vendors. The quality of booths and activities was better - and I thought last year’s event was really great.

“I was really tickled with how it went.”

DCCPHC president Becky Robinson was also thrilled with Summer Fest’s turnout.

“It was fantastic,” Robinson said.

Summer Fest is a family-friendly event whose purpose is to ‘get kids hooked on fun’ and engaged in healthy activities instead of being involved in youth risk behaviors, such as gangs, drinking and drugs.

Some favorites at this year’s event were presentations by Kim’s Tae Kwon Do and the Kansas Highway Patrol’s Reel Deal Cast for Kids fishing casting competition.

Dozens of vendors were on hand with interactive booths designed to engage kids in various activities. In addition, participants could indulge in  home made ice cream, compete in the punt, pass and kick contest, bounce around in the moonwalks, watch the dancers and performers, check out law enforcement and fire vehicles, listen to the Derby High School drumline, and settle onto a blanket on the grass to catch the movie under the stars.

“People just came and came and came,” Smith said. “They came at the beginning and they stayed for the movie. We really had a good event, I think.”

Smith and Robinson want to emphasize how thankful they are for volunteer help and those who sponsored the event and organizations who set up booths.

“We could not have put this event on without the Aviator Church volunteer’s help,” Robinson said. “They are a tremendous group of people.”

Summer Fest was also sponsored by Pleasantview Baptist Church, USD 260, the Derby Recreation Commission, the Sedgwick County Health Department, and the City of Derby A.C.E. Grant and Parks Department.”

“Everyone pitched in,” Smith said. “We really outdid ourselves.We want to extend our thanks to all the groups that came out. They got to see a ton of kids and brought some great quality activities.”

Volunteers were on hand to help with parking, games and prizes, serving ice cream and cleaning up the event.

“They were great all around,” Smith said. “We’re looking forward to next year.”