[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 134 (Tuesday, August 9, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             IN HONOR OF ESCALON'S ONE HUNDREDTH PARK FETE

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                            HON. JOSH HARDER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 9, 2022

  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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