With Veterans Day approaching, St. Cloud launched its new weekly “Soldier City Sundays” market on Sunday at Veterans Park, offering vendors, live music, veterans’ resources … and a strong sense of community.
Hosted by the City of St. Cloud’s new Veterans Council, the market – and the Council itself – pay homage to St. Cloud’s origins as a retirement community for Civil War Union veterans.
“This is who we are. This is who we’ve been since 1909,” said Mayor Chris Robertson.
Among the veterans’ resources available Sunday, Robertson said, were the American Legion, Museum of Military History, McCormick Research Institute, FDOT’s Target Zero, Avenue One, Humana, and Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, with more to come in the future.
“Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, as this community’s hospital, is thrilled to be out here supporting and participating in Soldier City Sundays,” said Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital president Brian Wetzel. “This community is here to serve our veterans who reside here and support them in every way we can, and Orlando Health is thrilled to be a part of such a wonderful weekly event.”
Robertson, who is also the executive director of the Museum of Military History in Kissimmee, said the idea behind the market comes from his deep respect for those who serve. “My dad is a veteran,” he said. “I’ve always loved our country and those who have fought for our freedoms here. Our country is based on the freedoms that we enjoy, and we should honor those who fought for those freedoms.”
As clusters of people gathered to enjoy hot dogs, games, and live music from the bandstand, St. Cloud Police Chief Doug Goerke noted that events such as this help contribute to the community feel of an ever-growing city.
“People always talk about the growth of the city, and I understand,” he said. “But we have such amazing community values here, and we come together as a family all the time. No matter how big we grow, as long as we continue to do those cultural things that bring us together, I don’t know if that’s ever going to change. And I pray it doesn’t. As long as we continue to do that … what a beautiful place to live. Yes, it’s growing. Yes, there’s traffic problems. Growing communities always have some challenges. But I’ll tell you, if we all respect each other, we come together as a family all the time … you’re not going to find much better.”
That’s just what Robertson hoped for when he came up with the market concept. “The biggest thing I wanted to happen is everybody come together and congregate, enjoy each other,” he said. “Let’s find community. Because no matter how large you get as a city, the people that want to hang out together will come and hang out together.”
The market’s setting at Veterans Park feels especially fitting, bringing new life back to a space that has mostly sat dormant for years.
“You pass by here and see the helicopters, but you don’t ever see an event happen here,” said Trooper Steve (Montiero).” And look at the space! It’s fenced. It’s green. It has a park. It’s set up perfect for something like this.”
St. Cloud City Council Member Jen Paul agreed: “I remember growing up and seeing the park utilized back in the day, and to see it come back is a beautiful thing,” she said. “I think this is a great way to bring the community out. Come out and see all the vendors, the resources that are being brought to the community.”
“The City of St. Cloud has a rich history that it’s even named after – Soldier City,” said Trooper Steve. “So for the community, its elected officials, and its Council to come together and create a Veterans Council to truly honor that … One, it’s about time; and two, it’s going to be amazing to be able to do that every Sunday going forward.”
For more information about the market or how to become a vendor, visit the city’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CityofStCloudFL.
