Thousands enjoy Party in the Park event in Melton

Organisers of Saturday's Party in the Park event in Melton said it went beyond their wildest dreams with up to 4,000 people helping to raise thousands of pounds for charity.
By The Newsroom
Published 4th Jul 2017, 15:19 BST
Updated 12th Sep 2017, 12:18 BST
Tom Webster gets a sponge soaking from MARS work colleagues Alan Gregson and Richard Hill at the Party in the Park in Melton EMN-170407-115453001Tom Webster gets a sponge soaking from MARS work colleagues Alan Gregson and Richard Hill at the Party in the Park in Melton EMN-170407-115453001
Tom Webster gets a sponge soaking from MARS work colleagues Alan Gregson and Richard Hill at the Party in the Park in Melton EMN-170407-115453001

It took employees of the town’s Mars Petcare company four months to organise with a packed programme of family-orientated activities, including a dog show, displays and a wide range of stalls.

The day raised £5,368 for Rainbows Hospice, Hounds for Heroes and Pets As Therapy with that figure set to be doubled with match-funding from Mars.

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Andy MacDonald, who organised the event with four colleagues, said: “I couldn’t believe the crowds - from 10 in the morning it was packed and there were still people there listening to the music at five when we were packing away.

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Five-year-old Hazel Ashby takes her face painting session seriously EMN-170407-115516001Five-year-old Hazel Ashby takes her face painting session seriously EMN-170407-115516001
Five-year-old Hazel Ashby takes her face painting session seriously EMN-170407-115516001

“I wanted to create something like the old Melton Day for the town and we smashed it.”

One of the highlights of the day was a dog show and dog agility event in the main arena, in Play Close.

Andy said: “We probably put on the biggest dog show Melton has ever seen.

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“We had hundreds of dogs there from far and wide with one coming down from Scunthorpe.”

Pirate shipmates Pat Mulligan, Miranda Grummitt, Vicky Padgett and Katie Hunter EMN-170407-115527001Pirate shipmates Pat Mulligan, Miranda Grummitt, Vicky Padgett and Katie Hunter EMN-170407-115527001
Pirate shipmates Pat Mulligan, Miranda Grummitt, Vicky Padgett and Katie Hunter EMN-170407-115527001

It was totally free to attend with another attraction proving to be a climbing tower brought along by Melton Scouts.

Melton Indoor Bowls Club invited people to have a go at the sport and signed up new members as did players from Melton Basketball Club.

Crowds were also thrilled by performances from Melton’s Performing Stars Academy.

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The whole event was on a much bigger scale than the company’s inaugural Party in the Park last year which raised £1,751 for charities.

Awaiting the judge's decision at the dog show at Melton's Party in the Park EMN-170407-115539001Awaiting the judge's decision at the dog show at Melton's Party in the Park EMN-170407-115539001
Awaiting the judge's decision at the dog show at Melton's Party in the Park EMN-170407-115539001

Andy, who said they would be holding it again next summer, added: “We had fabulous weather, we advertised it more this year and there was a lot more for the kids to do.

“There were 70 associates of Mars volunteering their services on the day and to be able to look around that park and see so many people enjoying themselves was a proud moment for us.

“As a company we would like to say a huge thank you to people in Melton for supporting the event.”

Related topics:MeltonPetsMarsRainbows Hospice