Painesville Party in the Park returns July 15-17

Jul. 4—Painesville Party in the Park will return as a free three-day event this July 15-17 with live music, vendors, inflatables and more.

This year will mark the return to the normal three-day format since 2019. Party in the Park was canceled in 2020, and four smaller one-day events were held in 2021.

For the first time this year, the organization that hosts the party, the Painesville Community Improvement Corp., will have its own pub at the party, which will open the moment the party starts each day.

"It looks like this rustic island bar," said party co-chair Tom Faehnle.

The party will also have a new food vendor for its VIP tent this year, which party co-chair Pam Morse described by saying, "You have guaranteed seating, you have a server, you have your own private bar, so it's basically your own club outside."

She added, "A lot of folks create like a party, businesses create like a party there, so they'll buy tickets and they'll just pass out the tickets, and then it's from 4 to midnight, so whoever shows up between 4 and midnight, you know, that's their table and they spend the whole night there."

In another change from previous years, Morse said that guests should bring their own folding chairs, as the party will not be providing any of its own.

"We saw that folks tended to cluster and then they stayed longer, versus sitting in our uncomfortable folding chairs," she said.

This year's party will include 24 bands from a variety of genres, including rock, Latin Jazz, Americana alt-country and more, as well as a worship band the morning of July 17. According to Morse, some of these bands come from Nashville, Michigan and New York State, while other bands are local.

She added that the bands begin their submissions in December and January.

For families, Morse and Faehnle noted that the party will also include commercial inflatables. A community stage will host acts including entertainers, magicians, jugglers, balloon artists and more. Morse added that there will also be a Morley Library storybook walk.

According to Faehnle, this year's party will cost $200,000. Morse said that Ganley Auto will be a "key sponsor."

The party also receives support from the many vendors who pay to secure a spot at the festival. Faehnle and Morse said that vendors will come from as far as Miami and New York.

For new businesses, Morse said, "It's a great opportunity for them to get in there as a tent vendor and then showcase themselves."

Remarkable Lake County, the county's visitor bureau, is another source of support for the party, Faehnle noted. He added that the bureau gives grants "based on how well you bring people into the county."

The co-chairs said that hotels throughout the county, including in Mentor, Concord Township and Madison, are often full. Faehnle said that they've had guests from three-quarters of the counties in Ohio, as well as guests from other states and Canada.

Morse mentioned that the party helps PCIC support the local community.

"When we raise enough money, we can in turn give it back to the community in the form of community grants and economic grants," Morse said.

As examples, Faehnle and Morse said that PCIC has bought new uniforms for sparkle cheerleaders at Harvey High School, a lift chair at Bella Donna Salon and Spa and new signage for Steele Mansion, the Gage House, Flowers on Main and others.

Morse added that PCIC is currently working with the Lake County YMCA to promote safety in the water for second grade students and will give $250,000-300,000 to help put in a new skate park at Kiwanis Recreation Park.

Party in the Park will run from noon to midnight each day on Painesville Square. Additionally, an hour-long worship service will be held July 15 at 8:30 a.m.