WEST TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)– As Bryan Horsman prepared for this year’s “Explore Wabashiki,” event, he thought back about 10 years, when he spent helping clean the property that is now host to the park.

“We used to fill 40 yard dumpsters [with trash,] now we can barely fill the bottom of a small dumpster,” he said.

Horsman was excited to kick off this year’s event, the biggest to date. Activities included live demonstrations on fishing and biking, pumpkin painting and several races throughout the day.

He said he was satisfied with the turnout to start the day.

“Just seeing everyone out here. Bringing the community out is what we work for,” Horsman said. “We spent months and months planning this event and you get here at 8 on a Saturday morning and you see 80, 90 people already out here. That’s what we do the work for, I’m glad to see everyone out.”

He said he believes the event shows how the park can be an asset to the community.

“We are making progress,” he said. “I met someone this morning from Indianapolis out here. Just being able to bring people together from more than just our city, a nice, regional area, it just means a lot and that’s why we’re out here.”