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Published Monday, July 28, 2008 in Local
Photo by Jeffrey Leo
Ashley Park’s summer celebration 2007 included a merry-go-round and rides for the kids.
Attendance estimate 20,000 for Ashley Park celebration
By Jeff Bishop
The Newnan Times-Herald
An estimated 20,000 people participated in Ashley Park's Summer Celebration this weekend, exceeding the expectations of Thomas Enterprises, Inc., which organized the event.
Balloon rides, wall-climbing, a giant sandbox, and free concerts were available Friday and Saturday. They even gave away a free four-door Jeep Wrangler.
"It was awesome," said Theresa Miles, Sharpsburg resident and winner of the Jeep. "I wished I'd had my grandkids there. They would have had a blast."
Thomas Tropea, senior vice-president at Thomas Enterprises, thanked the 100 volunteers who helped make the Summer Celebration a success.
"We want to serve the community and give back to this community," he said. "Ashley Park is not just about Ashley Park."
He said that 6,000 people registered at the event, "but I'd say about 20,000 went through."
Partial proceeds went to support the Boys and Girls Club of Newnan/Coweta County and the Community Welcome House shelter for battered women and children.
"I'd say we served food to well over 4,000 people," said Tropea.
The idea of the celebration events at Ashley Park is to raise awareness of Ashley Park and the entire Bullsboro Drive corridor, he said, "to establish ourselves as a destination and to showcase our center."
Thomas Enterprises also wants to "create an environment that supports the community," he said.
Tropea said the Atlanta Rhythm section and all the other bands provided "really special entertainment."
He said the Summer Celebration was "a great event for the whole family -- mom, dad, the kids."
He was happy to see all the local church participation, as well.
"Stone Point Church had a lot of volunteers. Crossroads won the $1,093 drawing," he said.
People really seemed to enjoy the hot air balloon rides, he said, as well as the high-dollar cars that were on display.
"And for the kids there was free face-painting, clowns, magicians, a carousel, and making sand castles in the beach area," he said.
As for winning the Jeep through the free drawing, Miles said she was "pretty excited."
"I'm still nervous," she said as she showed up at SouthTowne to pick up the automobile and fill out the paperwork.
"I never even won a candy bar before," she said.
Commenting on this story has ended.
Another big development and a hangout for the rich. When will blue collar newnan see any improvements?
Posted by DD at 3:03 PM
This was a great day for my daughter to spend together & it didn't cost a dime. We loved it!
Posted by CD at 11:50 AM
Ashley Park, job well done. Perhaps you can teach the group who "runs" the two new in town parks a thing or two about how to promote an event. 20,000 people that is great, at the Wright Concert there may have only been 200
Posted by CB at 11:41 AM
Big thanks to Stan Thomas and all at Thomas Enterprises who worked the event. Our community is really lucky to have you invest so much in it.
Posted by Newnan Business at 11:36 AM
I drove by and I don't even think there were any parking spaces.
Posted by Newnan at 4:22 AM
Totally forgot about this and after reading what a great turn out it had, I am sad we missed it! Way To Go, Ashley Park!!
Posted by Sharpsburg at 1:05 AM
At the event it seemed like I was walking around mid-town Atl... Newnan is finally getting what we deserve... quality places with a classy touch.
Posted by East Coweta at 8:27 PM
Agreed, this is setting the forward motion, now we just need the sunday alcohol sales to go through.
Posted by Coweta at 7:03 PM
I am very glad that I no longer have to drive to Peachtree City for any of my shopping needs. Ashley Park is a pleasure to shop at and the landscaping is absolutly gorgeous. Two thumbs up for Ashley Park and Coweta County.
Posted by April C. at 6:26 PM
Now all we need is Sunday sales of alcohol to keep all of the restaurants open!
Posted by Newnan at 5:49 PM
This is exactly the type of things we need in our ever growing community. This is a great new center in our area. People no longer need to drive to Peachtree City to go shopping, eat, or go to entertainment venues. Keep up the good work at Ashley Park! I also really like how well landscaped it always is, and the security there to keep the area safe and secure.
Posted by Progress in the Making at 1:20 PM
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What A Great Day!!
7/30/2008
Link To This Comment
Passing thru and stopped for what turned out to be a Great Day for my family. Free food, free events for the kids, fun for all. I wish the Augusta area would put on something like this. We need that developer here in Augusta!! What a Great Job! What really made it so special is that folks from all walks of life seemed to be enjoying themselves. We had a super time. Thanks.
Posted by Visitor from Augusta at 5:12 PM