On the evening of Friday, June 6, Central Park William E. Urschel Pavilion was filled with music, glitter, and joyful chaos as community members took the stage not to sing, but to sync.
The Lip Sync Battle in the Park, hosted by the Valpo Parks Foundation, was the first of its kind in the long-running Party in the Park series. This year’s proceeds supported the foundation’s fee assistance program, which helps children from underprivileged families attend summer camp and other recreational programs.
“We wanted something fun, interactive, and community-driven,” said Kevin Nuppnau, director of Valpo Parks.
The event featured a range of performances, but the purpose behind it was serious. With rising costs, many local families rely on financial assistance to give their children a chance to experience summer camp. In addition to the performances, attendees had the chance to participate in a raffle featuring themed baskets and local gift cards, with all proceeds going toward the same cause.
“The dollars raised tonight will go into a fund that supports kids who need financial assistance to participate in our programs,” Nuppnau said. “It allows more kids to be involved, and that’s incredibly important.”
The event’s format changes yearly. Previous years have included Family Feud games, trivia nights, and even a celebrity softball game. This was the first time the foundation used a lip sync theme, and the crowd responded with energy and enthusiasm.
“We’ve had Party in the Park for over 30 years, and every year it supports something different,” said Kaye Frataccia-Seibert, chairperson for the yearly Party in the Park event. “This year is really special because we’re not focused on a specific park project. We’re helping kids who might otherwise miss out.”
While financial results are one measure of success, Frataccia-Seibert looks at other indicators.
“I look at attendance, enthusiasm, participation, and the variety of people involved,” she said. “Each year brings in different community groups depending on the theme and the cause. That helps us build unity.”
One of the evening’s standout performers was Denise Koebcke, vice president of philanthropy for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana. Her group’s choreographed ABBA routine brought laughs and applause.
“We wanted something everyone could enjoy,” Koebcke said. “We figured if our choreography wasn’t great, we’d at least have awesome costumes to make up for it.”
“They’ve given to us, and we wanted to give back to the Parks Foundation,” Koebcke said. “Professionally, I think it’s so important for nonprofits to support each other. We’re all trying to help kids and families.”
When told that the event’s funds would help send children to camp, Koebcke lit up.
“There’s no better cause for us to support,” Koebcke said. “Some of those kids might even be part of our clubs during the school year, so this is really close to our hearts.”
In the end, it was the Larson City Singers, Nick and Susannah, who stole the show with their lively rendition of “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen. The duo earned the top spot through crowd voting, where each $1 donation counted as a vote. By the end of the night, they had raised $1,263, securing their win and adding significantly to the evening’s fundraising total.
As the final acts wrapped up and the crowd began to head home, the message of the night remained strong: when a community comes together, even a lip sync battle can open doors for those who need it most.
To learn more about the Valpo Parks Foundation, visit its website at valpoparksfoundation.org.
