Lakeland's FamFest Celebrates Family Values Amid Pride Month Events

Munn Park, Lakeland, Florida, USA - On June 7, the Believers‘ Fellowship Church will host its inaugural FamFest at Munn Park in Lakeland from 5 to 9 p.m. This much-anticipated event focuses on celebrating faith, traditional families, and the crucial role fathers play in our society. Pastor Jon Friedt has been vocal about the importance of supporting fatherhood, shedding light on the significant issue of fatherlessness that looms large over American families. „Father absence is a root cause of many societal problems,“ Friedt remarked, emphasizing the need for community gatherings like FamFest to address these challenges.

In recognition of this vital cause, Mayor Bill Mutz recently proclaimed June as Lakeland’s first „Faith and Family Month,“ a move that encourages residents to cherish and strengthen their family values and community ties. Initiatives like these highlight a growing trend in Central Florida and beyond, aiming to bolster support for faith and family through various means. Cities like Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and Auburndale are also participating, acknowledging the significant role families play in nurturing future generations.

A Celebration of Togetherness

FamFest promises a festive atmosphere with live music, a car show, delicious food trucks, and bounce houses for the kids. It’s designed to be a family-friendly environment where everyone can come together to celebrate. Interestingly, the timing of this event coincides with National Pride Month, first celebrated in 1999, which gives it a unique standing. Friedt clarifies that this is not an attempt to oppose the LGBTQ+ community, but rather to provide an alternative celebration during a month that emphasizes various aspects of community diversity.

As part of the festivities, the church hopes to connect with fathers and families, bringing to light the statistics surrounding father absence that the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) monitors. According to data, as of the 2020 Census, approximately 18.4 million children, roughly 23% of 73 million, live without their biological fathers. This troubling trend underscores the urgent need for community engagement and support mechanisms to aid father involvement, which is crucial for children’s well-being and development.

Nurturing Fathers for a Healthier Future

Research continually shows the importance of having involved fathers; children with engaged fathers demonstrate better emotional, social, and academic performance. Studies reveal that adolescents with resident fathers tend to achieve higher grades compared to their peers raised in father-absent homes. The conversation around fatherhood has seen a resurgence, with initiatives like the Fathering Strong initiative emerging to encourage fathers to take an active role, share experiences, and improve their parenting skills.

This focus on fatherhood is timely, especially as the nation grapples with the societal implications of father absence. The statistics provided by the NFI indicate a decline in father-absent households since 2012, but there’s still a long way to go. Even as rates decrease, the drive to strengthen the father-child bond is paramount. As Friedt expresses hope for the future, public figures, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, have been approached for greater recognition of Father’s Month, aiming to foster more conversations around this essential theme.

As Polk Pride approaches its own celebrations, marking its 10th anniversary with events beginning June 7 and culminating on June 14 with Pride in the Park, the community looks forward to both celebrations as opportunities to unite families in diverse ways. Lakeland’s FamFest offers a vibrant celebration of familial relationships, while also raising awareness of the pressing statistic that nearly one in four children live without a father. As the month unfolds, let’s embrace the love of family, the strength of community, and the critical discussions surrounding fatherhood.