By Christy Simo
If you were anywhere near the Grant Park Rec Center October 19, you probably heard it: The 38th annual Grant Park Mothball, the neighborhood’s annual costume party. This year it was quite the HOOTENANNY.
The Grant Park Neighborhood Association would like to thank the more than 200 neighbors and friends who came out and had a good time at this year’s event, as well as all the community sponsors who gave their time, food, and financial donations to make this event such a success. The Mothball is put on entirely by volunteers, and they couldn’t have done it without each and every one.
The Hootenanny Dance-Off was truly a hoot. Congratulations to the first place winner, Phred Huber, who won a $50 gift certificate to Agave and a three-month membership to Snap Fitness in Glenwood Park. The second-place winners, Tom Jennings and Tony Raffalovich, won a $50 gift certificate to Agave and a $100 gift certificate to Live Free Tattoo. Congratulations to all our costume contest winners (best overall, best hybrid costume, and best duo), who each won two free passes to the Starlight Drive-In, a $25 gift certificate to The Shed, and a $10 gift certificate to The Drafting Table. The “Show Us Your Hootenanny” contest leading up to the event, where people posted pictures at #gpmothball2013, was won by Amy Ingles, who received a $100 gift certificate to Live Free Tattoo.
A special thank you goes to the hosts for this year’s event, Charles Phillips, Dennis, and the rest of the staff at the Grant Park Rec Center, who were so gracious and accommodating to the Mothball planning team. If you have not been to this facility, which is located at 537 Park Avenue near the athletic fields, stop by and take a look. It’s a fantastic community resource not just for sports activities, but it’s also a great space to host meetings and special events.
The 39th annual Mothball next fall promises to be bigger and better. Stay tuned throughout 2014 for announcements on next year’s date, theme, and more, and keep an eye out for the Mothball mascots from the D’AIR Project community arts organization at local events throughout the year. If you are interested in volunteering with the Mothball or the Fundraising committee, email fundraising@gpna.org.
