By Christine Bryant
Staff Writer
The last weekend of June will be busy for Westside residents, with four popular events scheduled.
WABA 5K
The Westland Area Business Association is partnering with the Prairie Township Community Center and the Prairie Township Fire Department to hold their annual Freedom 5K run and walk.
The event will begin at 8 a.m. June 30 at the corner of Murray Hill Road and West Broad Street, and will travel through Lincoln Village North.
The check-in location is at Murray Hill Dental, 98 N. Murray Hill Road. Those who are pre-registered can head to the check-in table to pick up their swag bags and T-shirts. Check-in is from 7 to 7:55 a.m., and cost in advance is $25.
Participants also may register the day of the event beginning at 7:30 a.m. Cost is $30.
Greg Burke, past president of WABA and one of the parade’s organizers, says funds raised from the event will go toward building an artificial turf field that will be designed specifically for individuals with special needs.
“It will increase the usability for all levels of youth at the soccer fields,” he said.
For more information or to register, go to racepenguin.com/events/freedom-run.
WABA parade
This year’s Westland Area Parade will take place immediately after the 5K at 10 a.m.
The parade, which features the theme, Celebrating Our CommUNITY, will begin at Old Village Road and West Broad Street. It will then head west on West Broad Street to Norton Road, and south on Norton Road. The parade will end at Norton Middle School, near where the Prairie Township Fish Fry is held, Burke said.
“We’re at about 50 entrants, so it will probably last about an hour and a half,” he said.
Police will begin shutting down West Broad Street at around 8 a.m., Burke said.
This year, parade organizers are honoring Gary Leasure, past president of WABA and the South-Western City Schools Board.
“He’s a business owner and is very heavily community oriented and has done so many things for the community,” Burke said.
Parade applicants are still welcome, and applications are available at waba-cols.org.
Bean dinner
The popular 2018 Bean Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 30 at Westgate Park, 455 S. Westgate Ave.
Sponsored by the Hilltop Business Association, the event will include Cars in the Park, live stage entertainment, kids’ games, displays by community groups and businesses, and arts and craft vendors.
Nancy Rhynard, one of the event’s organizers, said Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Military will have displays as well.
Vendors will provide a variety of food and beverages, including the traditional bean soup and hot dogs.
Admission to the festival is free, with food and beverages reasonably priced, she said.
For more information, go to hilltopbusinessassociation.org.
Prairie Township Fish Fry
The Prairie Township Firefighter’s Association will host its 69th annual Fish Fry from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 29 and 30.
Firefighters fry approximately 2,000 pounds of ocean perch at the event, as well as serve hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, coleslaw, french fries, pies, cakes and soft drinks, according to a news release.
Live entertainment includes:
• 6 to 10 p.m., June 29, Time Castle & The Southern Rock Band
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., June 30, 23 Southbound
• 6 to 10 p.m., June 30, Black Water Road
The event also will include a cruise-in that will take place the evening of June 29. Registration is from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with an entry fee of $10. The first registered vehicles will receive a free dash plaque, and 50 trophies will be awarded. All years, makes and models are welcome.
Rain date is June 30, same time.
Anyone with questions about the cruise-in should contact fishfry@ptfdfire.com.
For more information, go to prairietownship.org/264/Fish-Fry.
