After a two-year pandemic pause, Simple Dreams Ministries is bringing its annual and much-beloved Picnic in the Park back to Upper Queen’s Park in Stratford this Sunday.
![Richard and Ruth Kneider of Simple Dreams Ministries are bringing their annual Picnic in the Park back to Stratford's Upper Queen's Park on Aug. 14 for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic began. (Galen Simmons/The Beacon Herald)](https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/nexus/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/0809-sf-picnic-park-e1659994954472.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=288&h=216)
The Simple Dreams Ministries’ annual Picnic in the Park will make its triumphant return to Stratford’s Upper Queen’s Park this Sunday following a two-year pandemic pause.
A summer staple in Stratford for roughly seven years prior to the pandemic, Simple Dreams co-founders Richard and Ruth Kneider say the bring-your-own-picnic-lunch event is a way to bring locals and weekend visitors together to enjoy free outdoor games , some live music and, most importantly, each other’s company.
“The whole premise of it is we want to bring community together,” Richard Kneider said. “Whether someone’s new to the community and they’ve moved into a neighborhood – maybe (neighbours) can invite them – or family, friends, whoever, it’s an opportunity to come together and enjoy a picnic lunch and (hopefully) really, really good weather.”
“And so many people come to Stratford on the weekends,” Ruth Kneider added. “Whether they come from larger city centers or they’re coming from another country, everybody is welcome to join in the fun.”
For the first time this year, Simple Dreams has partnered with Party Supply in Stratford to provide three inflatable bounce houses for kids to enjoy. There will also be free games for kids and their families, as well as live music from the Upper Queen’s Park Bandshell by Scott and Michael Bannerman of the local roots-based pop-rock band, Upside of Maybe.
Though Picnic in the Park officially begins at noon Aug. 14, the Kneiders say people are welcome to come early or hang around for as long they like.