April 23, 2024

Newton Parks hosts series of summer events

Maytag Pool now open, concert series begins Thursday

By Kate Malott

Damon Dotson performs during the Summer Concert Series last August at the Maytag Bowl. The event was sponsored by the Eye Care Center of Newton, First Newton National Bank and Noble Auto Group. (Kate Malott)

With school out for summer and longer days ahead, the Newton Parks and Recreation Department has developed a series of summer events to entertain its community members.

Maytag Pool

The Maytag Pool will be open to the public at 1 p.m. Friday.

Lap swim will be available from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Open swim hours are 1 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 1 to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Maytag Pool lifeguards will offer swimming lessons this summer from July 6 to July 17. Lesson are 45 minutes, fees are $30 and will begin at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. To register, visit the park office at 3000 N. Fourth Ave. E. or call 641-792-1470.

Movie in the Park

New this summer is the addition of Movie in the Park, free showings of family-friendly movies at the Maytag Bowl.

There are two movies on the lineup of events this summer. “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” will show around 9 p.m. June 6 at the Maytag Bowl, 301. S. 11th Ave. W. in Newton, and “Goonies” at p.m. July 25 at the Maytag Bowl. These movies are free to the community.

Teen Pool Party

Another new event added to the schedule this year is a Teen Pool Party during Newton Fest. Teen Pool Party begins at 7 p.m. June 12 at the Maytag Pool. Music will be provided by Nick Hoskin’s D.J. Service and costs $5 per student.

“We wanted to give middle school students the opportunity to have their fun own event during this exciting new community-wide event. The event is open to students that were in middle school (seventh and eighth grades) for the 2014-2015 school year,” City of Newton Administrative Park Superintendent Nathan Unsworth said.

Summer Concert Series

Newton Parks has brought back its summer concert series which will take place at 7 p.m. every Thursday in June, July and August at the Maytag Bowl. The first performance will be the Newton City Band on Thursday. Other lineup acts for the summer include JJ Express, Highway Home, Slipstream, Dueling Pianos, Music! Music! and Malek’s Fisherman Band. These events are free.

“We look so forward to our Thursday evenings at Maytag Park listening to music, and the entertainment is usually very interactive and can be enjoyed by all members of our family from the baby granddaughter to grandparents,” Newton resident Kelly Zach said. “We usually take a picnic supper, and enjoy the beauty of Maytag Park as we listen to the music.”

Zach is also a case manager at The Salvation Army and said its nice to be able to provide parents with a schedule of inexpensive or free local activities.

Dog Party

For dog owners, the parks department is pet-friendly and inviting. The annual Dog Park Party is scheduled for 3 p.m. June 7 at the dog park, 3387 Highway F48 W. in Newton.

“We have a lot of exciting things planned this summer in the parks and more still in the works,” Unsworth said.

The parks department encourages community members to like the Newton Parks and Recreation Facebook page to stay up-to-date on all events, weather related cancellations and other park news, Unsworth said.

Contact Kate Malott at 641-792-3121 ext. 6533 or at kmalott@newtondailynews.com.