MANSFIELD — The U.S. Army Golden Knights are set to descend on Arlin Field this month.
Weather permitting.
The Peace on My Block Community Festival will take place May 29 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at Arlin Field. The event will feature a performance by the United States Army’s Golden Knights Parachute Team at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Principal Tom Hager of Malabar Intermediate School said the Golden Knights will be available after the performance for a meet-and-greet in the east end zone of Arlin Field.
“They probably haven’t been here since the early 90s,” Hager said. “They used to perform at Lahm Airport.
“They go all over performing at air shows and festivals. (The U.S. Army) uses this as a recruitment (tool) to inspire kids.”
The event is open to Mansfield’s kindergarten through 8th grade students, regardless of where they attend school. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
While the U.S. Golden Knights may be the headliner, there will be plenty of activities for families to enjoy.
The event will also feature a petting zoo, bouncy houses, face painting and an air jumper. Several law enforcement agencies will be onsite with specialized equipment for a children’s “touch a truck,” including a fire truck and SWAT vehicle.
“That was one of our biggest objectives when we started this was giving our kids opportunities to do something that they don’t normally have opportunity to do,” said John Beasley, Malabar’s assistant principal.
Several food trucks have signed up to participate in the event, as well as dozens of community organizations offering prizes and games inside the stadium. Teana Sykes will perform the National Anthem at 7 p.m.
The event will conclude with a fireworks show by Northeast Pyrotechnics.
“We spent a little bit more money on that this year, and it’s gonna be amazing,” Hager said.
An F16 flyover that was previously advertised has been canceled due to an Ohio National Guard training mission.
Free event aimed at promoting peace and positivity
The Peace on My Block Community Festival was born out of a larger initiative three years ago, following a rash of gun violence in the city.
The goal was to provide a positive event for students and families, hopefully setting the stage for a peaceful summer.
“We wanted to give the kids hope, some inspiration that there’s things out there for them,” Hager said. “That’s why we go big with all the things we do. We want to give them something fun to do on a night with family and unite the community together.”
Organizers said safety is a top priority at the event. Several staff members, as well as service members from the Ohio Air National Guard’s 179th Cyberspace Wing, are volunteering to run the event and serve on the safety team.
Overflow parking will be available at Mansfield Senior High School and the Mid Ohio Conference Center.
While organized largely by school officials, Hager said the event is not funded by Mansfield City Schools.
Instead, the event has come together the last three years thanks to community donations.
Several community members and businesses have sponsored the event, including the Russell & Mary Gimbel Foundation, Gioninos, David Krocker, Mechanics Bank, Malabar Intermediate, the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, Joann Hipsher, Richland County Foundation, North Central State/OSU Mansfield, Winston Greene, Park National Bank, Spaulding & Kitzler Law Services, The Owls, Crossroads Community Church, Schmidt Security, the Mansfield Boosters, AmVets, Buckeye Chrysler Super Store, the Mansfield School Employees Association, the AmVets Post Auxiliary, Metronome Music, Modern Woodman Of America, ELKS Lodge, Third Street Family Health Services, Arlene Landers Foundation, Richland County Democratic Party Women’s Caucus, Mohican Sports and Medicine Rehab, Richland County Democratic Party Executive Committee, Jon and Jill Van Harligen, Gorman Rupp Civic Fund, Southern Title Agency, Catalyst Life Services, Smile Doctors, Dan Lew and United Steel Local Trade Union.
