The Ester Community Association (ECA) is hosting its annual Ester Fest, marking the first time the fundraiser has a new focus: maintaining and improving the park the nonprofit now owns outright. The Ester Park has been a gathering space in the small community outside Fairbanks for decades and has been maintained by volunteers. For nearly nine years, the ECA used Ester Festival funds to build the funds needed to purchase the land under a lease-to-own agreement. The final payment was made in January. With the purchase complete, ECA President Monique Musick said the festival's fundraising will now directly benefit the park's future.