A Walk in the Park in Siouxland, Latham Park, Sioux City

People walk around and look at various artistic endeavors for sale at Latham Park’s Art in the Park event, Saturday, September 19, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

People in Siouxland are like others and very much like doing things that seem normal again, or some facsimile of such a notion. Latham Park always has a fall art vendor day, Art in the Park, where various folk can sell their wares and others get to peruse and purchase in a pretty environment.

People walk around and look at various artistic endeavors for sale at Latham Park’s Art in the Park event, Saturday, September 19, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

 

People walk around and look at various artistic endeavors for sale at Latham Park’s Art in the Park event, Saturday, September 19, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

But thoughts about the virus wasn’t far from some people’s minds and others didn’t seem to mind or care. Which kind of makes returning to normal a mixed bag. Others who think nothing is going on can’t move on because some people wear masks reminding them, and those wearing masks are worried about their health and well being but find others don’t mind or seem to care. A classic Catch 22.

People walk around and look at various artistic endeavors for sale at Latham Park’s Art in the Park event, Saturday, September 19, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

And who knows how long and how severe this aberration will continue. But it is nice there are events again for folk to get out to. So many have been cancelled until the following year and hopes the new normal will become normal.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa

People walk around and look at various artistic endeavors for sale at Latham Park’s Art in the Park event, Saturday, September 19, 2020 in Sioux City, Iowa. (photo by Jerry L Mennenga©)

Siouxland Art in Latham Park, Sioux City

I visited the local park in Sioux City, Iowa, recently, called Latham Park. It is public, but privately funded and maintained. According to the organization’s website posting the park “is a traditional, residential area of the Morningside section of Sioux City, Iowa, and occupies almost a full acre of ground, is home to an endless variety of flowering plants, warbling songbirds, a wonderful fountain, quiet sitting areas, and one or two friendly squirrels. We invite you to take a stroll through the park ….. feel your mind ease and your spirits soar. The Latham Park site was originally the home of Miss Clara Latham. Upon her death in 1937, the property passed into a charitable trust established for its perpetual maintenance. ” But as life goes on and expenses get more expensive, the supporters of Latham Park hold various fund raisers each year to help with maintenance, buying more plants and keeping the space looking wonderful and inviting. This past weekend as the annual “Art in the Park” fundraiser which showcases various artists throughout Siouxland and gives browsers and those inclined a very relaxed atmosphere to look around and just enjoy. A couple of acoustic ensembles played during part of the day which was a nice addition. More photos here.

Jerry Mennenga

Sioux City, Iowa