— Saturday afternoon’s heat couldn’t stop people from pumping up the praise at Rotary Park.

Rapper El Boogie wiped sweat from his face as he exhorted his audience  to “call upon the father, when you pray he will listen.”

Several hundred visited the park throughout the day Saturday as Faith Deliverance Christian Center and 23 other churches presented Praise in the Park. They brought their kids to play on inflatable jump toys. They came to listen to all sorts of praise music and watch stomp dancing. They came to spend time with friends.

And they came for snow cones. At least four booths sold the frozen treats and saw brisk business as temperatures rose.

“They love the snow cone,” said Elouise LeSeuer of Indian Baptist Church. “We ran completely out of flavors and went out to get more.”

LeSeuer draped a wet towel on her shoulders.

“We’ve been extremely busy with the ice and cotton candy,” Nashelle Wartson of Faith Deliverance said as she filled a grinder with fresh ice. “We sold popcorn, too, this morning when it wasn’t hot.”

However, according to Wartson, the purpose of Praise in the Park made the work worthwhile.

“Anything to help the kids out, give them something to do,” she said.

Theme of this year’s praise in the park was “Stop the Violence.”

El Boogie — Muskogee native Lonnie Barker — reflected the theme several times during his performance.

“I declare to the south side of Muskogee, Devil, loosen your hold. I declare to the north side of Muskogee, Devil, loosen your hold. I declare to the east side, Devil, loosen your hold. I declare to the west side, Devil, loosen hour hold,” he said.

Barker, who now lives in Missouri, welcomed the chance to perform in his old neighborhood. He said he grew up just across from the park. He said he comes back to Muskogee to help with youth. He said he has mentored kids at Sadler Arts Academy.

“Just because I started out in the ‘hood, doesn’t mean I’m going to finish there,” he said. “I just do what I can. I feel I can bring a positive influence to the neighborhood.”

Opal Jimerson said she loves the positive environment Praise in the Park offered. She said she brought 20 of her kids from Champion Child Care to the park.

“They get to get out and enjoy the day,” she said.

Reach Cathy Spaulding at 684-2928 or cspaulding@muskogeephoenix.com.