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Michelle Griffin, Liberty Lake parks and recreation coordinator, and William Miller, Barefoot 3v3 Soccer Tournament organizer, are catalysts for Barefoot in the Park, July 24-26. Originally known as Liberty Lake Days, the event was cancelled last year but is being revived by the city with a refurbished schedule.

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A Cup of Joe: Recreation recalibration
6/30/2015 12:00:15 PM

By Craig Howard
Splash Contributor 

If you missed Liberty Lake Days last summer, you weren't the only one. 

After a four-year run as the city's signature summer celebration, the event was placed on hiatus, leaving a void in the warm-weather schedule for many residents. The vintage cars, festive booths in Pavillion Park, even the classic carnival games - all nowhere to be seen when July rolled around.

When the 2015 municipal budget was approved by the City Council last winter, Liberty Lake Days made a triumphant return, earning a $30,000 earmark. The revised agenda would feature three days of festivities, including a new collaboration with a popular event known as "Barefoot 3v3 Soccer," a tournament that premiered in Liberty Lake in 2013.

William Miller, organizer of the soccer bracket, had approached the city about blending the return of Liberty Lake Days with a tournament that had taken the area by storm. As the docket developed, a 5K run, pro soccer demonstrations, a Friday night concert and more were added. Miller says he expects the field this year to be around 200 teams, with a number of entrants traveling to Liberty Lake from across the region. 

"Taste of Liberty Lake," a community culinary celebration featuring local restaurants, will be part of the lineup Friday while a talent show and movie ("Big Hero 6") will take the stage at Pavillion Park Saturday evening. The emphasis on local commerce will also carry over from the original itinerary with vendors in the park and a showcase on Friday from noon to 5 p.m., offering specials at area businesses for event attendees.   

City representatives like Parks and Recreation Coordinator Michelle Griffin say that Miller has brought much-needed enthusiasm to an event looking for exactly that. After providing an overview of the fast-growing sport and his successful tournament during a presentation at City Hall, City Council rose from the dais with a standing ovation. 

Griffin, meanwhile, has made sure the event will include an abundance of creative activities beyond the soccer tournament. Traditional components of Liberty Lake Days like the car show and carnival games will be joined by new features like footgolf at Trailhead, bubble soccer (players wear the equivalent of giant bubble wrap) and a golf cart parade.  

The Splash caught up with Miller and Griffin recently to preview the much-anticipated return of Liberty Lake Days and the first rendition of Barefoot in the Park. Both were wearing shoes.   
          
Q: When Liberty Lake Days was introduced in 2010, city representatives talked about the importance of providing a free community event that would promote local businesses and generate civic goodwill. Do you think the first four years accomplished that? 

A: Michelle Griffin: Yes, I believe we did accomplish the goal of providing a free community event that promotes local businesses. We had participants from throughout the region as well as the business community that came back multiple years and really supported the event. Liberty Lake Days would not have been possible without their continued support.  

Q: Why was the decision made to put Liberty Lake Days on the shelf in 2014?  

A: Griffin: As the recreation services division has a staff of one, staffing levels required to put on this event were analyzed, and it was decided that a community-driven approach to events would more effectively utilize resources and allow for greater connection between what the community wants and what the city provides. Having the opportunity to better utilize volunteers and maximize resources by partnering with an existing community event such as Barefoot 3v3 Soccer, would better serve the residents of Liberty Lake. This collaboration will help draw more tourism dollars to Liberty Lake and the two local hoteliers, allows for more family activities at the events and helps build a strong support base for community events.

Q: Was there much feedback from the community about bringing back Liberty Lake Days?

A: Griffin: The city did receive feedback from some business owners that they were disappointed with Liberty Lake Days not occurring in 2014. While we were conducting the Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Plan Update survey, we had numerous comments about how residents enjoy community events, the free concerts and movies in the parks. Being able to hear from residents as to what types of community events they want to have helps direct staff to providing those types of events and be more responsive to community needs.

Q: What do you think Barefoot 3v3 Soccer will bring to the revised three-day schedule?  

A: Griffin: I believe that partnering with Barefoot 3v3 will give the former Liberty Lake Days a broader draw and add a higher level of energy and excitement since playing barefoot soccer is such a blast.  Working with William Miller is fantastic, and his restaurant and tournament experience adds a new skill set and ideas to the coordination team. His many connections in the community help to recruit volunteers and get more local groups, such as the Liberty Lake Running Club, the HUB and Friends of Pavillion Park interested in joining in the event.

Q: Tell us about the origins of Barefoot 3v3 Soccer. What were your hopes for the tournament when it premiered in 2013? 

A: William Miller: With my daughters all playing soccer, it always seemed as if one would get hurt. When they played barefoot soccer, they played better finesse soccer and didn't get hurt. It was better soccer with great results. This in combination with traveling to Costa Rica with Valley Assembly Church and seeing soccer as a way to reach out and provide soccer balls and even shoes to kids that couldn't afford them. These things along with several local soccer coaches like Chaz Valdez, Mike Cousins and Rik Robles all inspired me to move ahead with Barefoot. I had approached (former Liberty Lake City Council Member) Josh Beckett with the idea, and he thought it would be a great success in Liberty Lake.

Q: How would you describe the popularity of barefoot soccer right now?  

A: Miller: Around the world, barefoot is the typical play for soccer. They don't really have a choice. Here in the states, you will commonly see barefoot in the parks or beaches during the summer, but here in Liberty Lake and surrounding area, it is becoming more popular. 

Q: Why did you think blending the tournament with the return of Liberty Lake Days might be a good idea?

A: Miller: Anything we can do to support local businesses and bring people to the Liberty Lake area is a good idea. The city of Liberty Lake and their staff have been so great and supportive to work with from the very first year. When we had our 2014 debrief, we discussed working together to make Barefoot a bigger event and festival. This year will be great. 

Q: Will this year's rendition of the tournament be any different than the first two years?

A: Miller: This year will be the biggest Barefoot yet, and we hope to be expand adult divisions with recreational and competitive for both men and women. We may even have a 40-and-over division. 

Q: You've said the weekend has the potential to be like "Liberty Lake's soccer version of Hoopfest." What do you think will need to happen to get to that level?

A: Miller: Hoopfest is an unbelievable event. We just need to keep adding new and exciting things that people will have fun making memories. I know that in soccer, my kids will remember a few tournaments, but they have great memories at our tournament. I'm hearing this same response from past participants and coaches that the entire family had a great time, and they leave with so many great memories.

Q: The promotion of the original Liberty Lake Days often referenced the All Valley Picnic that began in 1922 and ran through 1941. Will you still try to bring some historical perspective to this year's agenda?

A: Griffin: Yes, we are coordinating with the Liberty Lake Historical Society to bring back the historical display. We also are bringing back the historically based contests again such as the gunnysack race, three-legged races and brick walk as well as carnival games. 

Q: The introduction of footgolf at Trailhead is another new feature being added to the schedule. What do you say to the golf purists who are concerned about this golf/soccer hybrid taking to the city's course? 

A: Griffin: I see footgolf as an opportunity to help grow the game of golf and as a way to add a new recreational opportunity for residents who may not play golf to get to enjoy Trailhead Golf Course. This will be an opportunity to get feedback from purists, regulars and soccer players alike to see if this sport is a good fit for Liberty Lake. The course was laid out with minimal investment and utilizes only a portion of the golf course. If the purists are open to footgolf and residents love it, then the temporary course was designed to be easily expanded in the future. Footgolf would be scheduled during slower times at the golf course when there are fewer golfers. It will be up to city staff to ensure that footgolf players are educated on course etiquette such as staying off the greens and being respectful of others on the course. 

Q: How do you think the improvements to Pavillion Park will benefit the return of Liberty Lake Days?  

A: Griffin: Once the construction is completed, it will offer additional restrooms and storage space along with a new concession stand.  The Liberty Lake Historical Society has photos of the original design of the concession stand on the lake and the intent was to model this new concession stand after the original concession stand design. Having these new improvements in the park will allow the event to accommodate more people and having the concession stand will be a wonderful addition to the park. Tournament registrations can be taken in the concession stand in the future along with having room for a food vendor who might be able to sell root beer and popcorn like they did back at the original concession stand on the lake.

• • • 

If you go ...

Barefoot in the Park and Barefoot 3v3 Soccer Tournament

July 24-26

Pavillion Park in Liberty Lake





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