Joyland restoration group to hold fundraiser

Wichita natural foods market Food for Thought is hosting a fundraiser to benefit the nonprofit seeking to revive Joyland Amusement Park.

Carnival games and a silent auction will dominate the day’s activities, set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 22 at the store, 2929 E. Central, near Hillside. The money goes to the Joyland Restoration Project, local nonprofit Restore Hope’s first restoration initiative.

Volunteers from the group will be onsite that Saturday to answer questions and discuss plans to purchase and renovate the park, which Restore Hope leaders estimate will cost about $10 million.

Joyland T-shirts and merchandise also may be purchased or ordered at the fundraiser.

The park, which recently has drawn arsonists and vandals, closed in 2006. Restore Hope, devised in 2011 by Wichita teen Alex East, is focusing on grassroots fundraising efforts and its social media presence to raise money and gain support for the project.

For more, call Food for Thought at 316-683-6078 or e-mail Restore Hope board vice president Kira Johnson at kjohnson@joylandrestorationproject.org. Details on the Joyland project, including ways to donate, are available at www.joylandrestorationproject.org or on Facebook.

This story was originally published September 13, 2012 at 9:20 AM with the headline "Joyland restoration group to hold fundraiser."