DAPHNE, Ala. — Caretaker of four, Philis Hymel, brought the children under her care to the final Art in the Park event at W.O. Lott Park for the summer because it offered a wholesome activity that was free.

“It’s free. We did the snow-cones, the popcorn and the train ride. I brought four boys with me today,” Hymel said.

A certain four-letter word — free — was a common reason for many moms’ enjoyment of the event.

“We love it. I am a stay-at-home mom and this is just something free,” Tiffany Faulkner, a Daphne resident, said.

Susanne Gardner also brought multiple children to the event.

“I brought the kids here because it offers a free event. I have kids that are 8, 6, 3 and 2 and there is something for every age. Everybody can be happy at the same time. It is a lot cheaper than going to a movie and it keeps the younger kids occupied,” Gardner said.

Stay-at-home mothers like Heather Rogders said they used the event as an excuse to get out of the house. Rodgers brought her son Rivers along for the fun.

“We are cooped up all day. This is a fun little thing to go out to. They have lemonade and popcorn. We came last week, too. We had a lot of fun. It wasn’t as busy last week.”

Many of those attending the event had attended before, and have plans to attend the city’s Wet-n-Wild Wednesday event as well, which will include kiddie pools and a water park for small children.

“We have come to this event before every time, I think, for the last four years. They have these two in the summer and the Wet-n-Wild Wednesdays. We will come to those too,” Hymel said.

“We come every year to this and (the kids) look forward to it. They didn’t make any art here; I bring it home for me to have something to do with them,” Gardner said.

Parents were thankful to the city for hosting the event.

“It is nice to have something that the kids can do that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Having four (children), you have to think of every cost. Five dollars is no big deal, but five dollars times four every day for a different event is a lot of money,” Hymel said.

“It is a fun thing to get out of the house to come out and do. It is a good thing that they offer things like this,” Rodgers said.

“I think it is great that they get out in the community and host events like this,” Gardner said.

It was difficult for some to pick a favorite part of the event.

 “Our favorite part was the petting zoo. The kids liked being able to see the animals. It gave them exposure to different animals that we read about in books but they oftentimes don’t get to see,” Gardner said.

Gardner’s 2-year-old daughter, Kate, said her favorite part was the inflatables.

Jasmine Helburn, 5, of Daphne, said her favorite part of the event was making the art and getting a butterfly painted on her face.

The events were hosted for the past two Thursdays by Daphne’s Recreation Department for three hours in Lott Park.

The occasion offered tables full of arts-and-crafts projects for children to enjoy, inflatable jumpers, carnival games, train rides, a petting zoo and dance contests.