The Recover Out Loud event returns for its fourth year this Saturday at Gregg Park in Vincennes, offering a day of family activities, music, and community connection in honor of National Recovery Month.
The event was launched in 2021 by Vanessa Phillips and Mark Storms of Courage Living as a way to bring people together to celebrate recovery from addiction and mental health challenges.
“We really wanted to just find a neutral way to get people to come together and celebrate recovery, and the hope and the joy that comes with that,” Phillips said.
This year’s event is free to attend and runs from noon to 4 p.m. Activities include bounce houses, a dunk tank, live music from and free food. The first 200 people to register will receive free t-shirts. In keeping with the theme “Rooted in Recovery,” local gardening groups are donating plants to symbolize growth and resilience.
Phillips said connection is central to the event’s purpose.
“The opposite of addiction is connection, so any way that I can find myself around like-minded people or connected to people that are wanting to just live every day better than the last, I try to celebrate that,” she explained.
Registration begins at 11 a.m. for children’s activities. Last year’s event drew around 300 participants, and organizers are hoping for at least 400 this year.
For details, visit the Knox County Recover Out Loud Facebook page.
