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| Hope Fest bringing fireworks to Botts |
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6/24/2016
By Tom Marshall
Senior Advocate writer
A community fireworks show will highlight the annual Hope Fest event to benefit Hope Hill Youth Services Friday, July 1, at Botts Park.
Rebecca Peck, a Hope Hill volunteer and event organizer, promised a show that will be “top of the line.” The show is being made possible through several corporate sponsorships.
“We really hope people will come out and support Hope Hill, but also have a good time and get to see some amazing fireworks,” Peck said.
The goal, she said, is to “have a fun, family friendly, Christ-centered event that spreads hope through our community.”
The fireworks show begins at dark. There is lots more to look forward to, however, beginning with live music at 6 p.m. Gates open a half hour earlier.
Entry is $5 per person or $20 per family.
Music will come from Larah Helayne of Mt. Sterling and the Boone Alley Band, featuring vocalist Gwen Spencer and Bo Queen. The headline act will be The Royal Line from North Carolina.
The music will primarily be contemporary Christian worship, Peck said. She encourages event goers to bring a blanket or a chair.
Micah Harris, a meteorologist with WKYT Channel 27, will emcee the event again this year.
Several food trucks will be there with typical festival foods and southern cooking. Chickabiddy is also expected to have a truck there.
There will be a cash raffle and another for a quilt made by residents of the children’s home. There will also be free face painting and glow items for children to play with at night for sale, Peck said.
In addition to a night of fun, Peck said organizers hope “to bring awareness to what Hope Hill does and the needs of the kids we and other organizations like us serve.”
Hope Hill Youth Services-Family Connection operates a 25-bed private rehabilitation facility for girls in Hope.
The Hope facility provides mental health treatment helping individuals recover from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder, clinical depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia and more. Mental health professionals at these facilities are trained to understand and treat mental health issues, both in individual and group settings.
These types of services are needed now more than ever with the number of abuse and neglect cases involving children continuing to rise, Peck said.
To illustrate the need, Peck noted that last year there were enough children involved in abuse or neglect reports in Kentucky to fill Rupp Arena.
Money raised from Hope Fest will be used to give them opportunities for personal growth and special projects that the day-to-day budget does not allow for, Peck said.
“Anything to spark passions, interests and help to boost their confidence, just like any young lady needs,” she said.
Hope Hill also offers a foster care program for children birth to 18 years of age and an independent living program that provides housing for young adults in transition from its other programs.
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