Weekend in Park improves layout

WINCHESTER -- Changes to Jim Barnett Park have forced the Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival to rework the layout for the Anthony's Pizza Weekend in the Park this year.

The expansion of the War Memorial Building by the Active Living Center, more shelters and additional amenities to the park "squeezed" the arts and crafts area of the May 2-3 Weekend in the Park event into an elongated shape stretching far from the midway, according to a press release. Crafters and attendees have complained about the amount of walking needed to go from one end to the other, the release states.

This year, organizers moved the craft area to the top of the hill between the municipal swimming pool and the car show. The new layout also incorporates concessions, entertainment and "Children's Funday." The change also will improve traffic flow and vehicle access.

Organizers also announced that the Old Town Wine and Fine Arts Festival continues to grow. Originally started as part of Weekend in the Park, the festival organizers moved it to Old Town, where it featured 10 wineries. But even as the list of openings for wineries grew to 16 this year, all slots were filled, the release states, and organizers added a 17th space as well as a waiting list for vendors interested in signing up for 2010.

The festival will be held in the parking lots at the Feltner Building and Hable's Real Estate. It will feature entertainment on two stages along with other vendors.

Daily Staff Report