The Farragut Parks and Recreation Department was presented a Four Star Award for its special event, Freaky Friday Drive-Thru Boo, at Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association’s 70th annual Conference in Clarksville, Tennessee.
The Four Star Awards recognize excellence and community impact by agencies across the state and are voted on by an external agency, this year being the Indiana Park and Recreation Association.
Farragut Special Event and Program Coordinator Brittany Spencer said the circumstances which led to Freaky Friday Drive-Thru Boo were what made this award extra meaningful.
“It was the 24th annual Freaky Friday, so the event was not brand new, but the way we did it was brand new,” Spencer said.
Changes had to be made to ensure community safety during the Covid pandemic. Alterations to this event, which traditionally occurs along the walking trails of Mayor Bob Leonard Park, included moving vendors into the street and handing candy out to residents in their cars in a drive-thru fashion.
Spencer attributes the success of the modified event to the input and teamwork provided by all members of the department and their desire to provide a community event amongst a slew of Covid cancelations.
“So many things had been canceled, including Book Fest and the Fourth of July Parade, so we knew by Halloween we wanted to do something for the community. This is what we came up with, and people loved it.”
Wendy Smith is marketing and public relations coordinator for the town of Farragut.