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After a two-year pandemic hiatus, Simple Dreams Ministries is bringing its much-loved annual Picnic in the Park to Upper Queen’s Park in Stratford this Sunday.
Richard and Ruth Kneider of Simple Dreams Ministries are bringing their annual Picnic in the Park to Upper Queen’s Park in Stratford on August 14 for the first time since before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald)
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Simple Dreams Ministries’ annual Picnic in the Park will make its triumphant return to Stratford’s Upper Queen’s Park this Sunday after a two-year pandemic hiatus.
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A summer staple in Stratford for about seven years before the pandemic, Simple Dreams co-founders Richard and Ruth Kneider say the picnic lunch event is a way to bring locals and visitors to the Cape together of the week to enjoy free outdoor games. , some live music and, most importantly, the company of others.
“The whole premise is that we want to bring the community together,” Richard Kneider said. “Whether someone is new to the community and has moved into a neighborhood, maybe (neighbors) can invite them, or family, friends, whoever, it’s an opportunity to get together and enjoy a picnic lunch and (we expect) very, very good weather.”
“And a lot of people come to Stratford on weekends,” added Ruth Kneider. “Whether they come from larger city centers or from another country, everyone is welcome to join in the fun.”
For the first time this year, Simple Dreams has partnered with Party Supply in Stratford to offer three inflatable bounce houses for the kids to enjoy. There will also be free games for kids and their families, as well as live music from Scott and Michael Bannerman’s Upper Queen’s Park Bandshell from local pop-rock band, Upside of Maybe.
Although the picnic in the park officially begins at noon on Aug. 14, the Kneiders say people are welcome to come early or spend as much time as they like.
gsimmons@postmedia.com
