PRESCOTT – The gem of Prescott was the toast of the town Saturday night, as a big crowd was on hand at Freedom Park for the Sunset Soiree annual fundraiser.

Featuring a German Oktoberfest theme, visitors mingled in the exhibit space that’s in the process of being “reimagined,” enjoying German food and beverages and bidding on silent auction items to benefit the Freedom Park mission. The event culminated with a sunset toast in the evening.

Freedom Park Executive Director Israel Haas said that big things are happening now and on the drawing board at Freedom Park, which hasn’t updated exhibits since it opened in 2006.

Phase one of the work at Freedom Park is underway, with many large exhibits moved onto wall space to open up the room. Phase two will be a mezzanine built over the main exhibit room, with ovce and storage space.

That will lead to an ambitious phase three. The newly launched Freedom Park website describes it as, “We will engage the community as we re-envision what exhibits should look like for our world today in order to make them more engaging and family-friendly.”

“This is what we are doing to create an even better Freedom Park,” Haas said prior to the sunset toast.

He credited volunteers who planned the event and help run the center and donors.

“You are the reason that we’re here, that we exist and that we will continue to exist,” he said.

Haas said Freedom Park will be actively seeking grant funds to see new initiatives to fruition.

The website states, “We’re so excited to share how we’ve reimagined this space. Our goal is to create a center where people can gather to connect, experience the beauty of our two mighty rivers, and engage in diverse perspectives and local history.”

Freedom Park Executive Director Israel Haas describes changes that have been made with exhibits being moved from the main floor to the walls during the Sunset Soiree annual fundraiser Saturday night. Photo by John McLoone