Family Day In The Park launched in Bellemeade Park in 1999. This one-day event was created to meet the needs of the African-American community living in the Evansville metro area. Thanks to FDITP, Evansville now had a free local event with diverse entertainment, food, and vendors – something larger urban communities, like Indianapolis, already had with the Indiana Black Expo and Circle City Classic.

Doug Banks was a fun-loving radio personality whose legendary career shaped the radio industry. Every week millions of listeners tuned in to hear Banks and DeDe McGuire as their Chicago-based morning show rose to be one of the top-syndicated urban programs in America. Many remember and still tell stories about Doug Banks visiting Family Day In The Park the very first year.

Family Day In The Park eventually exceeded Bellemeade Park’s capacity. It transitioned to a larger centralized location at the Civic Center Parking Lot and CK Newsome Center in 2008. This move from the park to the parking lot gave more space for additional vendors, activities, and visitors.

Music, food, shopping, and dancing are all fun parts of Family Day In The Park. But the health and wellbeing of visitors matters too! In 2010, FDITP added a health and wellness component to the annual event. Visitors can get checked for high blood pressure, glaucoma, HIV, diabetes, and high cholesterol – all for free!

The Zapp Band, a family group from Hamilton, OH, revolutionized soul and funk music with their trademark talk boxes and bumping grooves. Zapp headlined Family Day in the Park in 2013 and 2015. They entertained large crowds with their mega-hits, like “Computer Love”, “More Bounce to the Ounce”, and “I Want to Be Your Man.”

Family Day In the Park couldn’t be limited to a one-day event anymore! Gospel Night was added the Friday evening before FDITP in 2014. It includes an uplifting night of performances by local churches, praise dancers, and an incredible bake-off competition!

After 20 years of entertaining Evansville, the all-volunteer Planning Committee knew it was time to refresh Family Day In the Park for the next generation. They dropped “In The Park” and landed on the new event name – Family Day – and logo created by Matt Wagner Design.

Family Day continues to promote family values and traditions while providing a unique, fun, and free cultural celebration open to the entire community. Eat, dance, shop, praise, and play with Family Day the weekend after Labor Day!