The organizers of this year’s Picnic in the Park event, sponsored by the City of Savannah’s Department of Cultural Affairs in celebration of National Arts and Humanities Month, announced today that the theme for this October’s event will be “Fly Me to the Moon.”

“We are pleased to be hosting the popular Picnic Contest for the first time this year, an integral part of the Picnic in the Park event” said Greg Parker, president and CEO of The Parker Companies. Parker’s is this year’s Presenting Sponsor, as well. WSAV has been named the official Media Sponsor.

In a new twist this year, Parker’s invited the public to suggest this year’s theme. “We were very pleased to have received over 300 entries by email and social media,” said Greg Parker, president and CEO of Parker’s.

The ‘Guest of Honor’ at this year’s ‘Picnic in the Park’ event, was chosen from the theme idea entrants and will be contacted soon. They and their family will be able to set up their picnic front and center for a VIP spot in Forsyth Park for the event.

“We’re amazed every year by the creativity of picnickers, not only their picnic spreads, but the interesting costumes that some choose to wear,” added Parker. “Many of the theme entrants suggested that people wanted a theme of nostalgia. The romantic theme chosen was a combination of a number of ideas entered,” he explained.

The song “Fly Me to the Moon” was made famous by recordings by African American cabaret singer Mabel Mercer, and later by Johnny Mathis. The Philharmonic will feature this and other romantic musical sections for a night of romance and love for families in Savannah’s beautiful city park.

The annual free concert is highlighted by a performance by the Savannah Philharmonic as well as a number of featured performers, and draws crowds of as many as 20,000 picnickers. “There are endless great musical selections that the Philharmonic can choose,” said David Pratt, executive director, who along with Peter Shannon, conductor, will coordinate the musical presentations of all of this year’s performers.

Picnic in the Park has been a Savannah tradition since the 1980’s. This year’s event will be held on Sunday October 5, 2014 at Forsyth Park in Savannah’s Historic District.

Each year, picnickers can enter the “Picnic Contest” where they are encouraged to design an imaginative picnic spread that is inspired by the theme of the evening including beauty, love, elegance, and romance. All Picnic Contest entrants will be eligible to win an array of prizes, organized and presented by Parker’s, this year’s Picnic Contest Host.

Find Parker’s online: http://www.pumppalclub.com