Children’s Day Celebration, KBEY Easter egg hunt April 19
CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — Dozens of volunteers and more than 100 entities will join forces in Johnson Park on April 19 for free food, fun and fellowship dedicated to children.
For 14 years, the Children’s Day Celebration has found support from businesses, churches, nonprofit organizations, education groups, law enforcement and emergency services crews to create a carnival-like atmosphere at no cost to families.
Organizers would like parents to play a pivotal role in this year’s event, which is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the park, 230 Ave. J South.
“We would like to see the parents getting more involved. When you celebrate your child’s birthday party, you are part of that,” said Ely Banuet-Rodriguez, founder of the Children’s Day Celebration. “This is their children’s celebration, so come and help for one or two hours as volunteers. We do need their participation.”
Last year, about 2,500 children filled the park. To handle as many as a thousand more this year,100 entities, along with nearly a dozen churches, have donated money and services, organizers said.
Volunteers participating with exhibits, activities and booths come from as far as College Station and closer to home from Burnet, Blanco, Kingsland, Marble Falls and San Saba.
“It’s a conglomeration of everyone,”said Terry Evans of Evans Electric, who connects booths and exhibits with electricity and coordinates activities. “Everybody is there. Everybody is helping.”
Also, children can find health resources for families and get a glimpse into possible career fields.
New features this year include a race car driver with two cars as well as teacup, train and pony rides. There also will be a cash-grab tube and balloon darts.
Free food includes pancakes, hamburgers, chips, cotton candy and roasted corn.
Other activities are a balloon release; a talent show; face, hair and nail painting; a dunking booth; a bouncy house; police, fire and EMS crews with equipment and vehicles; and rock climbing. Prize giveaways include a bicycle and digital-gaming devices at 2:15 p.m.
Also, KBEY 103.9 FM Radio Picayune is hosting a community Easter egg hunt at 9:45 a.m. at the softball field near Johnson Park. Toddlers start the hunt at 10 a.m. with older kids following at 10:30 a.m. Prizes will be given away.
“(Children) intermix with all the other kids. (The celebration) is a tradition. A lot come back every year. It brings the community together,” Evans said. “You can get to know what the needs are for the children in our community.”
Dignitaries and church leaders also attend to offer words of encouragement and inspiration.
“It’s a day for (the children). They get everything they want: food snacks, games, prizes, entertainment. They don’t have to worry about money,” Banuet-Rodriguez said. “When the child feels validated as an individual by having this day, they can feel that they are unique, special.”
connie@thepicayune.com