In Honor of Escalon's One Hundredth Park Fete

Floor Speech

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Mr. HARDER of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of Escalon, California's Park Fete. The Park Fete is a remarkable, multi-day celebration that brings the community together and further forges the bonds that are at the heart of Escalon's character.

What began in 1922 as a lawn party to celebrate and raise funds for the town's Main Street Park has blossomed into an annual event that residents look forward to all year long. Produced from a community of just 7,000 people, the Park Fete includes carnival rides, live entertainment, food booths, pageants, and a 10k run among numerous other events. It is a wonderful occasion wherein neighbors socialize, children enjoy the bliss of summer vacation, and the whole town feels a sense of unity.

More than just a celebration, the Park Fete is a direct reflection of Escalon and its residents. An idyllic small town with safe streets, superb schools, and a welcoming environment, Escalon's ethos has been cultivated through generations of community service. The sentiment that reverberates throughout the town can best be summed by Escalon's mission statement: ``Taking pride in our community through quality service.'' Nowhere else is this pride more profoundly depicted than through the Park Fete, which is only made possible by generous donations from local business leaders, countless volunteers, and organizers who plan months in advance.

It is precisely events like the Park Fete that truly represent the best in us. I am immensely proud of the people of Escalon who, through their hard work, selflessness, and commitment to one another, have kept the Park Fete alive and well for a century.

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