Faith and Family Fun Day draws crowds even in the heat

Faith and Family Fun Day at Normal Park was held Saturday, July 11, 2026, and even though the temps were intense, it didn’t stop families from coming out for five hours of food, fun, fellowship, and music. The event, organized by The Humble and The Gathering Table Church, ran from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and featured a petting zoo from Grampa’s Farm, face painting by Corrie’s Face Painting, balloon animals, sidewalk chalk, a coloring contest with prizes, and a take-home craft project provided by Merrill Ace Hardware while supplies lasted.
The Grand Stand served soft serve and ice cream treats, the Caffeine Cruiser offered coffee and specialty drinks, and The Daily Bread brought sourdough and other baked goods. The Humble’s booth featured handmade candy and Christian gifts.
Food was served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with burgers, hot dogs, chips, and fresh watermelon available. Live music came from Bonfire, a worship group representing three area churches, and The Gathering Table’s worship team.
Johanna Doyle of The Humble said the idea for the event grew out of conversations with friends from her church about finding ways to support local families.
“Some friends from church and I often talk about doing something to bless the families in the community,” Doyle said. “One day I was in my store just praying and asking how we could be a blessing, and ideas started coming to me.”

While The Humble helped organize the event, Doyle said The Gathering Table was a key partner.
“The Gathering Table church was a big help with providing all the volunteers and [covering the] cost for food,” Doyle said.
While The Gathering Table was the church officially represented at the event, Bonfire also performed, according to Doyle, and other churches were unofficially represented in the various vendor booths and volunteers.
Doyle said she handled much of the early planning herself, with her husband, Jim, taking the lead on music and sound as preparations moved forward. Members of their church family later stepped in to help coordinate volunteers.
The goal, Doyle said, was to create a faith-based experience welcoming to people of all ages — a chance for the community to connect, laugh, and spend time together outdoors.
“Our prayer was that every person who encountered a volunteer got to see Jesus, as well,” Doyle said. “We wanted to get out into the community and let His light shine through us.”
Doyle said she watched the event’s spirit play out in small moments, including from her own booth.
“From my booth, I got to watch adults playing Granny Pants with their kids,” Doyle said. “It made my heart smile so big.”
Organizers consider the event a success and plan to make it an annual summer tradition, with a possible fall event also in the works, Doyle said. Details on future events are still being finalized, but organizers said they intend to keep the same focus on faith and family.
“It’s about Jesus and people. It always will be,” Doyle said. “We love the Lord with all our hearts, and then we love our neighbor as ourselves. We are so thankful that our city allows us to host such an event, and Lord willing, there will be more.”