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Pine Bluff Pool’s Parkerfest supports Parker Staples: 9-year-old with lymphoma

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Parker Staples
Photo courtesy Jessica Staples

Pine Bluff Pool will host Parkerfest, a May 20 event promising to draw hundreds with its line-up of popular food trucks, bands, vendors, and support of Parker Staples, a Pine Bluff Pool member and the 9-year old son of Jamie and Jessica Staples of Waynesboro recently diagnosed with lymphoma.

Pine Bluff announced the event on Monday. Earlier in the day, Parker was welcomed into the baseball program at the University of Virginia, signing an official letter of intent with UVA coach Brian O’Connor.

“Some people may wonder why we’re having a festival that has nothing to do with swimming, but really, Pine Bluff is about more than that,” explains Pine Bluff Board President Sommer Hansen.  “It’s about connecting families and building community, and that’s exactly what we’re doing by supporting Parker.”

Held on the grounds of Pine Bluff Pool, this event will tout many local favorite food vendors, including Stable Craft Brewing, Mama’s Caboose, and Hops Kitchen and local musical talent such as Gypsy Mountain Band, Crystal Armentrout, and Alex Arbaugh.

While tickets are free, organizers encourage individuals to secure tickets early and be entered in a raffle to win a free Pine Bluff Pool membership worth up to $500.

“I’ve known this family for decades,” shares local business owner of Real Time Pain Relief, Glenda Ownby.  “They are always the first to help someone in need. When I heard they were looking for vendors, I couldn’t say yes fast enough.  I’m not surprised so many other quality vendors felt the same way.”

Parkerfest organizer and Pine Bluff Board member, Katie Reich, adds, “This is a daunting project, but it’s been such a unifying experience. From the enthusiasm of the vendors, to the growing list of volunteers, that feeling of energy just keeps multiplying”

To find out more about Parkerfest including ticket reservation, see PineBluffPool.com.

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