Journal photo by Jordan Wald.
By Ally Morrison
Family Fest, being held May 8 in Crestline, will feature inflatables, crafts and games for children and youth.
The festival will include savory snacks from Mountain Brook Vendors such as Mountain Brook Creamery, Craft’s and Post Office Pies.
Local churches – including Mountain Brook Baptist Church, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Canterbury United Methodist Church, Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Brookwood Baptist Church and Covenant Presbyterian Church – will come together in support of the event at Crestline Elementary Field from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Over the past two years, tension has risen nationally and locally. Conversations emerged from local churches that were deliberating on how the church body could step forward as a source of kindness, gentleness and respect in the Mountain Brook community. The outcome of that conversation was a fun, free gift to the community of Family Fest.
“There are seven churches that are a part of this exciting opportunity in the community,” Director of Relationship Management Services for Johnson Sterling Scott Ward said. “It’s been fun to get to know a variety of different churches in our community.”
When asked what he was most looking forward to, Ward had a very simple answer.
“I am most looking forward to all the smiles on all of the children’s faces,” Ward said.
According to Ward, each church representative who is helping to plan this event has taken on different responsibilities to keep the event well organized.
“It’s been a lot of fun and very constructive,” Ward said.
Supporting church officials said they were grateful for the hospitality from Crestline Elementary, including Principal Christy Christian and Assistant Principal Josh Watkins. Mayor Stewart Welch, along with city officials Shanda Williams and Janet Forbes, also provided support at intervals of the planning stages.
“It really has been a delight to work with these various church representatives and to experience their enthusiasm for Family Fest and making a positive difference in our community,” Ward said.
Ward gives a special thank you to Sharon Howard with Mountain Brook Baptist, Shaun Byrne with Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Harrison Burkett with Church of the Highlands, John Scott with St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Ruth Grissom with Canterbury United Methodist Church, Blake Dempsey and Brian Pitts with Brookwood Baptist Church, and John Fountain, David Driskill and Daniel Sluis with Covenant Presbyterian Church.
