Mulberry Splashes into Summer with Annual Summer Splash
by James Coulter
What better way to start the summer than taking a splash in the pool? The City of Mulberry celebrated summer vacation that way with their annual Summer Splash Celebration last Saturday.
The annual event commemorated the first day of its Mulberry Community Pool opening to the public for the summer season. Several dozen local families took to the pool to swim, splash, and dive. Admission to the pool was free for residents and $5 for non-residents.
Meanwhile, in Spence Park, guests could bounce around on bounce houses, slip down water slides, and enjoy free hot dogs, drinks, and chips provided by the Mulberry Kiwanis Club.
Mayor George Hatch attended the event with his wife and grandchild, both of whom enjoyed the opening of the community pool. He appreciates being able to help offer free events like this to the community, such as the end-of-the-year celebration for high school seniors.
“We try to do a lot of free events for the families that live in Mulberry and this is one of them,” he said. “It is just a great day. We do it every year. Just the fact that the kids enjoy it. This is all about the kids.”
Neil Devine, City Commissioner, also assisted with the event that day. He considers it the perfect event to start the summer.
“It is a great event,” he said. “We do it every year. I love the staff that makes everything happen. It was a good turnout.”
Chelsea Young, Director of Culture and Programming, considered the turnout great, even despite the weather forecast calling for less-than-perfect weather. Fortunately, the tropical storm for that day managed to hold out during the event, she said.
“This day has become something that everyone in the City of Mulberry looks forward to,” she said. “It is a historic pool and it is nice to keep it open for a seasonal event. And I think it has become a nice family tradition…[I just love] the smiles. It feels like it is the true start to summer.”
