Maranda’s Park Parties

Posted Mar 9th 2009 2:07 PM by Jamie Allen
Filed under: Where You Live
Tags: Park Parties

Get ready for another summer of fun! Maranda is pleased to announce the dates and locations for Park Parties 2009. All parties take place from Noon-2pm.

Thursday, June 18 – Marsh Field, Muskegon (Pictures)
Thursday, June 25 – Fifth Third Ballpark, Comstock Park (directions)
Thursday, July 2 – Ionia County Fairgrounds, Ionia (directions)
Thursday, July 9 – Garfield Park, Grand Rapids (directions)
Thursday, July 16 – Kollen Park, Holland (directions)
Thursday, July 23 – Upjohn Park, Kalamazoo (directions)
Thursday, July 30 – Allegan County Fairgrounds, Allegan (directions)

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Stephanie Ward

Hi Maranda-
Just wanted to say we had a ball at the park party. We thought that group 3 of A Kind was awesome in Kalamazoo, we loved the positive message which we need more of. I just wish that they had music to all of the songs they sang, my son just loved the performance part with the dancers It's a blast. How can we get in contact with them, we would like to know if they would come and perform at our church and possibly our school this upcoming year. Do they have a cd that is for purchase? Thanks
Gayle Tabbert

Maranda,I just wanted to thank-you for giving our kids a fun filled great day today. Even our picky eater found enough in the lunch to fill her up, and then they felt they were spoiled with all the free things they came home with from all the different sponsers; who also need a round of thanks.I really did enjoy today just seeing all the happy childrens faces.Thank-you again and God bless you for all you have done.
Michelle

I am wondering if there will be any food at the Allegan party. I am bringing my grandmother that is a diabetic and wondering if she should eat lunch beforehand, or if there will be something that we will be able to purchase. Thanks!!
Judy Little

I am planning to bring by step grand sons to Allegan's pary in the park on Thursday. We are all really excited -- especially me -- can't wait! What a fun thing to do for the community! Thank you in advance.
Judy Vanoosterum

Jamie; Thank you for your response. You were
close to the Edison neighborhood, when you
were at upjohn park in Kalamazoo.Thank you
for that.
Tutor Time

Hey Maranda-
Thank you for putting together the 5/3 Ball Park Maranda Park Party. We had a blast even though it was a blistering, sweltering, hot day. Our favorite booths were the Country Fresh bounce house and ice cream, Craig's Cruisers and Priority Health backpacks. The music selections were so fun! We loved hearing Miley Cyrus! We got our picture taken with the Grand Rapids Griffin, he was so cool but I bet he was hot. It was a fun field trip and hopefully we can come next year.

Thanks!
Tutor Time Child Care Center
Jamie Allen

Hi NikkiLyn-
We loved coming to John Ball Park for our parties, but as our crowds have gotten larger over the years, we've outgrown their park. We have been at Garfield Park that past two years instead.

We have two parties left this summer....hope to see you there!
NikkiLyn

Are you or have you already came to John Ball Zoo In Grand Rapids?
Alexis

thank you for giving us kids some fun in the summer keep up the hard work I had a ball at kollens park thank you agian alexis age 6
Jamie Allen

Hi Judy-
I'm not familiar with where the Edison Neighborhood is located. Where is your town? We'd love to consider your town for a party, but in order to do so, we need a letter written from a city official on why we should come to your town and recommendations on a park site. We review all our letters of request in the fall and make a decision by January of the following year.

Thanks!
Jamie
JUDY VANOOSTERUM

I HAVE NOT BEEN AT ONE OF YOUR PARTIES, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU COME INTO THE EDISON
NEIGHBORHOOD.IT MAY HAVE TO BE A LITTLE SMALLER BUT THE KIDS AROUND OUR CHURCH SURE COULD USE IT. MOST OF THEM COULD NOT MAKE IT TO ONE OF YOUR PARTIES.I VOLUNTEER AT WASHINGTON WRITERS ACADEMY AND OUR CHURCH IS
BETHANY REFORMED THE KIDS AROUND BOTH OF THERES COMMUNITIES WILL BENEFIT FROM YOUR PARTIES KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
kathy

hey miranda,
I think you should do a park party in belding michigan, because there isnt nothing for the kids to do here. we have a pretty big park here.

thanks
kathy and kids
Maranda

We had a great time in Cedar Springs. I hope we can get back there sometime in the near future!

All the Best!
Maranda
ziegrid

hi maranda good day,
where hoping here in cedar springs that you will be back here next summer coz the kids have lots of fun,,,like the year ago...they even talked about it before the school is over..

thanks a lot..
and good luck
Elaina

hello is there gonna be a park party in Cedar Springs this yearmy kids would like to go to it they didnt make it there last year
Jamie Allen

Hi Alexis-
We're so glad that you joined us yesterday at Kollen Park in Holland! Thanks for coming and we'll see you next year.
Alexis

Miranda I had a fun time at the party at kollans park can't wait for the next one thank you for all the hard work you do for us kids to have fun alexis age 6
Jay

Miranda we enjoyed your park party. This was our first year attending and all 3 were excited to see you and take part in your giveaways.
We all are already looking forward to your next party here in Holland!
Thanks for a great time and a great picture! Jay
Hope Goodwin

Maranda,
It would be great if you could come to Battle Creek for a park party, and yes Baily Park is big enough. But there is also Piper park. Either way please for next year consider the families of Battle Creek, the activities here are very limited for our kids. Thank you
Jamie Allen

Hi Chantilly-
Park Parties offer a lot of great activities for kids. The rides and inflatables are geared towards a little bit older kids, but I'm sure your one-year-old would still love to have some ice cream and enjoy watching our fun stage performers.

Hope to see you in Holland!
Jamie Allen

Hi Abby-
You can enter a video of you performing at www.westmichiganstar.com. Good luck!
maranda

Cierra:
Thanks for the e-mail. Garfield was a great event and I'm so glad we were able to bring our Park Party into the city of Grand Rapids. The full Park Party team is always evaluating how we can expand and improve each event. The lines were long-thankfully there was plenty of shade trees to keep folks cool. I wish I could tell you that there are simple solutions to people cutting in line and having rude attitudes but sadly, that is beyond my control. However, I can take responsiblity for myself and I can assure you that I will do my best to make every child I meet at Park Parties feel like the special, amazing child he or she is. All the best!
Maranda
Cierra kyser

Maranda,
I want to thank you for putting on all these park parties. I thought the one at garfield park was kind of a diesater, everyone was cutting in line, rude attitudes. Hopefully there is some way next year you can make it better.

Thank you,

Cierra
Chantilly Patino

Maranda,

What activites are happening at Kollen Park on the 16th at the Park Party? I have a 1 year old daughter and I was wondering what fun things we might be able to do with her. Is there a list of activities, food, and rides that I can get in advance?

Thanks!

Chantilly Patino
sean doud

please come to Battle Creek
Abby

Does anyone know what the website for that talent competition,that the grand prize is preforming at a park party ????
Denise Richards

Hi Miranda,

I attended the park party in GR on the 9th and unfortunately never got near the stage. I was in a wheelchair and it did NOT like the grassy area there LOL -- anyway, I saw from a distance some people doing martial arts. What else was done up on stage? I was so far away from it that we couldn't even hear sound coming from that area.
Maranda

We are all set with volunteers thanks to our wonderful WOOD TV 8 staff and interns. Plus, great corporate partners like Fifth Third Bank, Meijer, Ferris State University and Amway provide volunteers to help! Just come and have fun with your kids!
Nancy

Do you need volunteers for your park parties? If so, how do people sign up?
Kristi Meekhoff

Thanks Maranda for a great park party today at Garfield park! My boys and I had fun! What perfect weather today! Thanks for all the planning and hard work that goes into putting on an event like this! Awesome job!!!
Lenae Steffen

We are looking forward to doing the park party again this year. Unfortunately, we will not be at the Holland party since we have sold our house and live in the greater Grand Rapids area. I have invited a friend who has never attended. I am looking forward to a warm fun afternoon, not for the kids but for mom as well. It's always fun to watch the kids have fun. Thank you for such an awesome program!
margaret rivard

could you come to montcalm county park for our kids. there is not much around here for our kids this summer.not much our familys can take there kids to with out spending alot of money. hopefuly you can come our way, i think it would be nice for our kids to have a day of fun.
Tina Hamilton

Hi Maranda,
It would we nice to have a park party at Tyden Park in Hastings. They usually have the Relay for Life walk 24hr walk to raise money for the relay for life. But, they haven't had any other fun things for kids to do. Thank you all that you do for the kids!! :) Tina Hamilton
Jamie Allen

Hi Chris-
The free lunches are only for children under the age of 18, but there is plenty of other snacks that are free to both children and adults. We have Ice Mountain bottled water, Cheeze Kurls, Michigan apples, Country Fresh Ice Cream and more!
Jamie Allen

Thanks for the suggestions of Walker and Went Park in Holland. We'll look into those locations for a future year.
Chris

I see that there are free lunches for kids under 18 - Is there also food offered for adults (free or pay)?

Thank you!
cindy

just wondering if next summer for your party in the park in holland you would consider having it on the noethside of holland at a place like went park off of james street and lilac. its so hard to get into town and find parking. the max bus runs down there for the town folks. just a thought.
Elizabeth Smith

How come you are not doing John Ball Park this year? That is the one we always went to. I think next year, you should do one in Walker park on remembrance road. There is a lot of space and a lot of parking available. Besides you have never done a park party in Walker before :D
Julie

hello i was just wondering what time it starts on July 2nd 2009 in Ionia... Can anyone e-mail me and let me know.. its my 1st year hearing about it through Begin with babies prograhm thats in ionia
Jamie Allen

Hi Tabitha-
We'd love to consider the Fremont/Newaygo area for a Park Party next year. In fact, we've actually held a party in Newaygo before. In order to consider your area, we need a formal written letter of request sent from one of your city officials. We review all letter in the fall and make our decisions for the next year's park in December.

Thanks!
Jamie Allen

All of our Park Parties take place from Noon-2pm. Everything is a go in Ionia for this Thursday, so we hope to see you there!
Tabatha Johnson

I would love to have some more events of the parents and children up north a bit from the Grand Rapids/Muskegon areas. We are in Fremont/Newaygo County and would love someplace closer without the drive ;) Thanks for the consideration!
Sarah LaRoe

Hey there Maranda,

I live in Quincy, and would love to see a park party come to Coldwater area. Any plans on coming south of 94???
Nikki

hey what time do those partys start??!?!!?!
Trish..T..

Hi Maranda, I was wondering what time do the park parties starrt. This will be our first one.. My boys are very excited.. Thanks so very much..
Chris

Where will the lunches be served and what are all the activities for the park parties?
Jamie Allen

The first winner was selected this week. Kileigh Bone of Allendale was this week's winner and will kick things off at the Park Party tomorrow at Fifth Third Ballpark. Listen every Wednesday morning for that week's winner to be announced on STAR 105.7.
Elizabeth Dora

Which of the kids won the West Michigan Star talent contest and played/sang so far this year in Muskegon?
Jamie Allen

We talked with the Fairgrounds and city officials yesterday and they feel confident this won't affect our Park Party next Thursday in Ionia. If anything changes between now and then we will let you know.

Hope to see you there!
Rachel, Ionia

they just announced that the cars in the south lot at Ionia will start being moved Monday and will take 5 days. How is this going to affect the park party on The 2nd? My girls are really excited and looking forward to coming.
Maranda

The Park Party in Ionia (and all our parties) take place from noon - 2 p.m. We start serving free lunches at 11:30 for anyone 18 or younger so come early. Eat lunch and then play!
Billie Joe Endsley

maranda,

Just wondering what time the park party starts in Ionia. So we know what time to be there. Thanks
ashleyy

i wentt last yearr but how do you no what time it startes?
-love ashleyy
Gwen Wentworth

I was wondering if the recent flooding will change the scedule of the parks party in Ionia which is currently set for July 2?
Jennifer

Thanks for coming to Ionia!! Can't wait!
Bambi Ricketts

My girls wish that there was a park party in Hastings or Middleville. We have to travel quite far to be able to go to any of them.
Is this a possibility in the future?
Theresa

Sorry, I read the other post and found the time. This is the first park party in that we will have the opportunity to attend. Every year we're so busy, I forget. We plan on attending this year. All of the other children always tell me how great it was. Thank you so much for including Kalamazoo and making it available for the children of our community!
Theresa

What time does the park party start?
kimberly johnson

I wish that you would do a park party in lakeview michigan one of these times. There are alot of young kids around here with nothing to do over the summer.
tina

thanks for having parties for the kids here in Muskegon. My grandson will be there
Chris

Dear Maranda,
I just wanted to sincerely thank you for everything that you do through these Park Parties. The ammount of communities that are helped through these events is amazing and I really enjoy seeing people putting forth the effort to offer families a day of fun in these tougher times. I appreciate all the hard work that you do to pull these off. We'll see you there.
Corinn

I was wondering how do I get the information for the park parties, I can see where they are located but I don't know how to find the time and what is held at these events. I have not yet been to one and would like to get some more information. Thanks
Jamie Allen

We work with Vertical Edge Entertainment out of Gobles, Michigan. Their website is www.verticaledgeentertainment.....
Jackie Burns

Hi Maranda,
I was wondering what company provides the climbing wall, inflatable's and mechanical rides for the park parties?
Jamie Allen

Hi Don-
All of our Park Parties take place from Noon-2pm. Park Parties offer loads of free fun for kids including activities, rides, entertainment, food and resources from local non-profit organizations.

We hope to see you this week in Muskegon!
Donald Flowers

Hi Maranda,
Your coming to my town this week, Marsh Field. But it doesn't tell me what time you will be there. Also what is it that you do at the park parties? Thanks for the info.
Don F.
Maranda

The Allegan County Fairgrounds is a great place for families and we're excited to be there with our Park Parties! Can't wait to see you there!
rylee

hi maranda it is great to see that you are able to come to the allegan county fairgrounds. cant wait to see you july 30

thanks,
rylee
Maranda

It's totally up to you. That Park Party is in a large, contained parking lot. It can get pretty warm but if you have a stroller with a sun shade it could work nicely. Hey, every child loves a party and ice cream right!?
Can't wait to meet you!
Maranda
Danielle

I was thinking of taking my 12 year old sister & her friend to the party at fifth third ball park. I also have a 2 year old daughter. Should I bring my daughter, or leave her and my husband at home?
maranda

My best advise is to have your kids pick the one thing they really want to do and then get in that line first. I'd also suggest you arrive between 11:15 and 11:30. Pick up their free lunches (those are served starting at 11:30) and let them get into the line for their favorite thing. Once they'd done their "big thing" you can make your way around the rest of the party. Also encourage your kids to stop by the dozens of non-profit organiztion tables. They all will have prizes or activities for kids.
I look forward to seeing you at this year's events!
Kristina

Are there any strategies for actually being able to have our kids participate in more than one thing? For several years we tried these parties and the crowds were so huge that our kids wait in line the whole time to do one thing and then the party is over. I think they are a wonderful idea, but I would like to figure out a way for it to be less frustrating for them.
Maranda

All For One is awesome! Thanks for being a part of our commercial!! You guys are great!
Can't wait to see you again this summer at Park Parties.
Maranda

Tiffany:
We recently announced a seventh party in Muskegon for June 18th. We will not be hosting an event in Battle Creek this summer but would love to come back again in the future!
Dominique Vargas

Maranda, thanks again for allowing us to serve you and for letting us be part of your WOOD TV family. We had so much fun doing the promo for Park Parties. The kids and me look forward to making the summer Park Party our highest point each year. We love to share our dances and our cultures with the public. Thank you for allowing us to do it at your party in Holland. See you soon and we love you,
Dominique
ALL FOR ONE DANCE PROGRAM
tiffany schmidt

I noticed earlier that you mentioned something special for kids in battle creek...any idea when that will be announced?
Maranda

Park Parties take place on Thursdays from noon - 2 p.m. I hope to see you there! Free lunches will be served starting at 11:30 for anyone 18 and under.
Deb Erlanger

The times for the parties are from noon to 4pm right?
Jamie Allen

Hi Becky-
Yes, it was just recently announced that we'll be coming to Marsh Field in Muskegon on Thursday, June 18. We'll be there from Noon-2pm and it will be our first Park Party of the summer!! Hope to see you there.

Jamie
Becky

I heard you might be coming to Muskegon for Party in the Park in early June, is that still a possibility? I didn't see it on the schedule.

Thanks!
Jessica

Miranda,

I loved taking my kids to the park party in holland. They had a blast. It is fun for the whole family! Thank you! I look forward to it this year.
Shawn Wilkey

I would like to see maranda come to Bailey Park here in Battle Creek,MI. The park has a lot of space for it and the kids would have a blast. My family and I live in walking distance and it would be alot of fun. Sincerely Shawn Wilkey
The Funkadelic Relic

I forgot to mention that they live right here in Grand Rapids and they are known worldwide. If you contact them and they are available they will probably be more than happy to perform @ one of the parties here in town. The kids really get into their performances! Contact Raze @ highlifestudios@hotmail.com and check them out @ http://www.myspace.com/61syxte...
The Funkadelic Relic

Miranda,

Have you ever heard of the b-boy crew 61syx teknique? They have a kid in the crew that is only 6 years old and he is amazing..the whole crew is absolutely amazing Miranda. They performed at Martin Luther King Park in '07 and all of the kids just loved them. Check them out on YouTube. You can see some clips of their actual performance from Martin Luther King Park. Just go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v... or watch their booking video @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
karen kiss

i hope you come back to john ball park one of these years
Angie

Thank you for coming to Allegan. I look forward to bringing my son to that park party!
Michelle

I second the Battle Creek thing....its so boring here for kids.
Maranda

Thanks for the e-mail Tonia! We are looking at doing something special for kids in Battle Creek this summer. Keep watching "Where You Live" and we'll give you all the details soon!

Take care-
Maranda
tonia hunsicker

their is not much to do in battle creek for kids it would be great if you could do a park party here
tonia hunsicker
& kids

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Jamie Allen

I’ve been a part of the WOOD TV8 team since 2005. As Special Projects Producer, I work side by side with Maranda making things happen behind the scenes. I coordinate Maranda’s Park Parties each summer and produce a variety of station broadcasts and events through out the year. I also serve as the producer of Maranda’s weekly half-hour show, Where You Live. I love the variety of my job and getting to be a part of the impact Maranda is making on kids in our community! Outside of work, I've been married for seven years to my husband John and we have two beautiful daughters, Sophia and Stella. When I'm not busy trying to keep up with the kids, I spend "me time" reading fashion or celebrity magazines, sneaking in some good reality television, walking around Reeds Lake with girlfriends and exploring new restaurants with my hubby. Inspirations for my blog come from my daily life as a busy working mom -- trying to juggle a full time job and be a full time mom to a spitfire five year old and a new baby.