By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

Mary Corinne DeGood and friend Daphne Safrit are two moms looking for fun, family-oriented activities for their young children. DeGood and her son, Quinn, 3, were invited to join Safrit and her daughter Margot May, 4, at the annual Elizabeth Holmes Hurley Park Spring Celebration.

“It’s actually my first time at Hurley Park,” DeGood said.

She’s brought her family to City Park, located across the street, but had never ventured over to Hurley Park. Both families are familiar with family-oriented events in the Fulton Heights neighborhood where they live , but welcomed the change of scenery on Sunday.

“It’s nice that there are kid activities,” DeGood said.

“It’s great to see all of the events that happen throughout the community and within different neighborhoods,” DeGood said.

DeGood and Safrit also saw the event listed on a Facebook group for moms. The group page is for those moms who get together for play dates and other child-friendly activities in the area.

“It’s a welcoming to spring. The flowers are in bloom,” Safrit said of the event.

The Sunday event marked the 28th year for the celebration and commemorated the official opening of the park in 1988, said Park curator Daphne Beck.

The event is usually held the second Sunday of April and coincides with the the last round of the Masters golf tournament, Beck said.

The event included art on display by Carolina Artists, carriage rides from Horse & Carriage LTD, bubble artist Steve Langley and magician Glen Yost.

Kathy Haynes didn’t miss very many opportunities to dance with granddaughter Claire Paskiewicz, 5, at the park as the Salisbury Swing Band played various melodic tunes. Her husband, Carl Haynes, plays trombone with the band.

Claire said she was there with her family to hear her “Gramps” play in the band as well as dance, eat popcorn and cookies.

“It’s safe and fun for all generations,” Kathy Haynes said.

Shenoah Drakeford heard about the event through her job with the city of Salisbury. She’d seen fliers and made a point to bring her children — Eliakim, 3, Shaneia, 13, and Ashwoa, 15. The family doesn’t live far from Hurley Park, Drakeford said.

“We try to support anything the city is doing. I like the interaction with different people in the community,” she said.

Drakeford said many of the participants are people who live in her neighborhood.

Paul and Kristy Michaels were invited to the event by their daughter, whose husband also performed with the swing band.

The Concord couple sat in their camp chairs under a shade tree, held hands and enjoyed the music.

“It’s a great community event. The weather is beautiful. It’s a time to celebrate what’s good in life,” Kristy said.

Paul said it was an opportunity to “slow down.”

The Michaels’ son, Anthony, echoed their sentiments and said it was “a lovely day.”

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.