DARKE COUNTY – The Darke County Park District held its annual Prairie Days festival with more than 5,000 people attending.

Prairie Days is a free family event that combines lots of fun and learning all in one place. Along with historical interpreters who demonstrate how life was in the period around the late 18th century, the volunteers and staff plan crafts, host music groups, local Civic Theater performances and a local art exhibit and so much more for the enjoyment of the public.

For quite a few years now local property and business owner (The Triangle Dance Club) Kelly Wilson has allowed the Park District to park its Prairie Days visitors in their parking areas for free. The Park District then contracts the Greenville Transit to shuttle people to the Prairie Days event.

“Without this assistance, the Park District would never be able to serve such large numbers of people at this very popular event as our parking is so limited at Shawnee Prairie Preserve,” Park District Director, Roger Van Frank said.

The Darke County Park District thanked Wilson for the Triangle’s donation and its long-time continued support of the community.

“The Darke County Park District is thankful for all of the support they receive in many forms from local citizens, property owners and merchants,” Administrative Assistant Deb Shiverdecker said.