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Thonotosassa Churches Host Festival
Posted Nov 2, 2006 by Suzanne Schmidt
Updated Nov 2, 2006 at 02:19 PM
LIVE MUSIC, GAMES, FOOD
By SUZANNE M. SCHMIDT
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Churches of different denominations are bringing the community together for the fifth annual Community Festival in Thonotosassa.
Live music, food, clowns, games, craft vendors, a moon walk and more will be featured at the biggest community festival in Thonotosassa Nov. 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Thonotosassa Park and Recreation Center, 10132 Skewlee Road.
About 800 people attended the festival in its inaugural year. This year festival officials expect close to 3,000.
The event is sponsored by Emmanuel Baptist Church, Hillsborough Methodist Church, Terrace Palms Community Church, Thonotosassa United Methodist Church, People for Christ Ministries, High Places Ministry, Christian Contractors Association and Dallas 1 Construction.
The festival will have many activities for families at no cost. Food will be provided by Smokehouse Barbecue and Tropical Florida Ices & Ice Creams.
Tom Mitchell is a member of Hillsborough United Methodist Church and one of the main event coordinators.
“We want to build the community,” Mitchell said. “Churches and businesses are underwriting the cost. The outpouring of donations from the community has been amazing. Many people really have a desire to help the community.”
There will be live performances by Brer, Brian Jones, the Brian Weller Band, Keilah and Tim Serdynski.
“The music is a mix of gospel, contemporary Christian and even Christian rap music,” Mitchell said. “We wanted to provide different music styles for different people.”
About 50 different craft vendors and yard sellers will be at the festival as well.
“The crafts are coming from throughout the area including Zephyrhills, Polk City, Lutz, Plant City, Tampa and Gibsonton,” Mitchell said. “Each church will also have booths set up with activities and crafts for children to do.”
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will offer bike safety lessons, a canine unit demonstration and finger printing for children.
“It is our desire to get out of the church and into the community,” Mitchell said. “It was designed through a multi-church effort to reach the nonchurch community. It is not about raising money, it is about meeting people in the community.”
In addition to the fun and games, the festival will also have booths set up for service agencies available to Thonotosassa residents including the YMCA, American Heart Association, Everyday Blessings, The Spring and the Salvation Army.
“We are bringing social services to share with the community,” Mitchell said. “We are going to let them know who they are and what they offer. Not many people know the services available to them. They can remember who they meet and contact them for any help they might need.”
“Everyone in the community used to know each other,” Mitchell said. “Everyone used to know your neighbor. People would help their neighbor when they were struggling and you just don’t really see that anymore. This is something the church would love to help with.”
All the churches involved will have booths set up in order to inform people they are there.
“The festival is about the Thonotosassa community,” said Anthony Perry, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church. “Our church has been involved in the festival since it began. We chose to be a part of the festival in order to approach the people about church in a nonthreatening environment. We just want to let people know we are here and ready to serve them.”
Even though many of the churches sponsoring would like to get new members from the festival, it is not the purpose of the festival.
“This is one day out of the year for us to show our support of the Thonotosassa community,” Perry said. “We just want to introduce ourselves to the community and let them know we are here to serve. If God brings them to our church, then we are excited.”
Mitchell said many people who are not in church are intimidated by church events.
“There is an inherent fear from people who don’t go to church,” Mitchell said. “They are afraid once they come on the property they will be accosted. We just desire to get to know the community and to let people get to know us in a nonthreatening environment.”
“I am excited about getting the community together,” said Tim Smith, vice president of Dallas 1 Construction. “There will be crafts and games and it will be a great way to get the Thonotosassa community together.”
Mitchell said the whole purpose of the day is just for fun and fellowship.
“It will be just a beautiful fall day in a fantastic park,” Mitchell said. “There is a lot of area for the children to run around and there will be a little something for everyone.”
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