The weather was picture perfect, with sunny skies and a light breeze, and the Escalon Chamber of Commerce-hosted Sunday Fun Day in the Park event saw one of its largest turnouts on Sunday, May 5.

With projects aimed at preparing homemade gifts for Mother’s Day, kids had the opportunity to take home a potted plant, create a special card, even make picture frames to offer up as gifts for mom.

There was also food available, tours of the historic caboose, face painting booth, music, a special storytime event hosted by the Escalon Library, bringing books and fun to the park, and more. Food trucks served up some fare for those who were hungry and Escalon Historical Society members had the popcorn machine popping.

The day’s festivities also included a ribbon cutting hosted by the Chamber for new member Cow and Rooster Design, and several people enjoyed taking the opportunity to get creative with chalk drawings on the blacktop area in front of the Main Street stage.

Seven-year-old Blake Bennett, with help from his grandmother Cathi Merritt, designed and colored an open-mounted alligator, then posed for photos as if he was inside the mouth.

A trio of sisters, Lola, Nina and Jade Duenas, attended the event with parents Frank and Laticia and took full advantage of all the craft activities that were offered.

“It gets them out of the house,” dad Frank noted.

Mom Laticia added that the entire family had fun sharing the day, from the food to the music to the many take-home projects.

This was the first Sunday in the Park event of the year put on by the Chamber, which hosts several during the year. Upcoming events will include a Father’s Day themed gathering in June and another popular one is in October, with that Halloween-themed Sunday fun day featuring costume contests and pumpkin carving.