LANCASTER FESTIVAL

Wet Rising Park Day still draws crowd

Trista Thurston
Reporter

LANCASTER - Although it rained consistently Thursday afternoon, plenty of people still flocked to Rising Park Day.

"At least it's not hot," said Eleanor Hood, Lancaster Festival volunteer.

Hood has been volunteering with the festival for more than 32 years and was one of the original founders. She was disappointed by the weather, as it hindered several programs; the Fox Family YMCA was originally scheduled to offer yoga, and several members of the Hocking Valley Youth Sports Center sat waiting for a dry moment to demonstrate their gymnastics skills.

But Tommy Springer was glad to be out of the heat. Springer is the conservation technician and wildlife specialist for the Fairfield Soil and Water Conservation District. He displayed several animal pelts for kids.

Kids were throwing flying discs with the Lancaster Disc Golf Alliance while clutching umbrellas. The group brought out four holes for kids to try. Also in attendance was AHA! A Children's Museum with water toys; representatives from Columbus Crew Soccer Club; and The Amazing Giants, who brought stilt walkers, hula hoops and bubbles.

Fred Swarner needed to keep his calliope made from a 1915 Ford Model T in his trailer so the pipes stayed dry, but music could still be heard throughout Rising Park. Swarner bought the custom-made calliope four years ago, and he said people of all ages enjoy it when he brings it to parades and festivals.

"Oh, kids love it. Really, it's everybody's music. You think of senior citizens, but kids really eat it up," Swarner said.

Hood said attendance wavered throughout the day.

"Once they get soggy, then they decide it's time to go home," she said.

One favorite at the park was the Turtle Lady and her display of reptiles. Nancy Lockard, the self-proclaimed Turtle Lady, said she brought six turtles that actually prefer the wet weather.

"The turtles that we have out are enjoying the weather, for sure," Lockard said. "I knew it was going to rain so I brought the rain forest (turtles)."

Lockard also had four bearded dragons and two veiled chameleons for kids to enjoy, with more in her car to swap out if need be.

"Are we allowed to touch these?" asked one child of the bearded dragons costumed on a picnic table.

"Yes, please do," Lockard said.

Lockard started collecting reptiles at age 4. She found Tutu, a box turtle, nearly dying after being hit by a car. She nursed it back to health and so became a turtle girl who grew up to be a turtle teenager.

"It was kind of a closet thing. You don't tell everybody that you're a turtle teenager because it was hard to get dates," Lockard said.

Of course, anyone dubbed the Turtle Lady would have a "TURTL8E" license plate. Lockard puts on educational programs with her husband in classrooms, churches, libraries and more.

"There are a lot of kids that are allergic to furry animals," Lockard said, so she's glad when she's able to introduce families to a different kind of pet.

tthurston@lancastereaglegazette.com

740-681-4345

Twitter: @tristathurston