Published Monday, July 28, 2008

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.