Come to an early-August picnic in the park, and what do you expect? Hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, various kinds of potluck picnic dishes, and beautiful weather—all of which were there to enjoy at the BWNA-sponsored National Night Out Picnic at Wilshire Park. But a full-fledged aerial trapeze show at treetop level? Not exactly mainstream picnic entertainment. Yet there they were, two young neighborhood ladies named Petra and Treya, suspended on rings attached to a tall triangular apparatus that rose high above the crowd of nearly 200 appreciative onlookers. As the girls performed their artistic routines to recorded music, attendees helped themselves to barbecued sandwiches from BWNA, refreshments donated by local markets, two cakes provided by Hollywood Whole Foods, and assorted freebees for the kids at the BWNA table. In addition to the aerial performances, live music was provided by an eclectic group of local musicians calling themselves “The Fighting Instruments of Karma Marching Chamber Band/Orchestra”—an ensemble led by Petra’s dad, former BWNA Treasurer David de la Roche, and by the popular “Energizer Bunny” band director from Beaumont Middle School Cynthia Plank. The funky upbeat music has become a picnic tradition.
As an added bonus, local businesses donated gifts for a free raffle drawing.
National Night Out festivities take place on the first Tuesday of August throughout the country. Neighborhood residents come together for family fun, but also as a sign of unity with police, fire fighters, and local politicians in the fight against crime. Among the notables in attendance at the Wilshire Park celebration were Officer Tony Hill, Crime Prevention Coordinator Mary Tompkins, and State Representative Lew Frederick—all of whom have been featured speakers at BWNA general meetings.
As BWNA’s biggest event of the year, the NNO Picnic relies on the teamwork of an energetic cadre of volunteers to pull off. BWNA Board members, formed the vanguard of the operation. Boy Scouts from Troop 107 led by Scoutmaster Chris Labuhn and other scout parents assisted in transporting 13 long tables and 100 folding chairs from Wilshire United Methodist Native American Fellowship to the park with logistical assistance from church congregant Helen Stewart. The scouts handled much of the heavy lifting associated with setup and cleanup. And in the hot spots next to the barbecue grills: former BWNA Treasurer, Newsletter Editor, and Beaumont Business Association President Dan Johnson, B-W resident Julie Yoho, and Board members Tom Melville and Grant Sprick braved the flames in their roles as picnic chefs.
Big thanks to the following merchant sponsors for their generous contributions (in alphabetical order): A Children’s Place, Alameda Brewhouse, Amenity Shoes, Beaumont Market, Blackbird Wine Shop, Bridge City, Everest M Market, Food King Market, Foot Traffic, Green Dog Pet Supply, Mercantile, New Seasons, Parsons Farms, The Arrangement, Whole Foods, Wilshire Market, and Yo Choice Yogurt.