Children’s Day Celebration features free fun, food in Johnson Park
Kids lined up during last year’s Children’s Day Celebration to ride the barrel train.
JENNIFER FIERRO • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — Children’s Day Celebration organizers don’t have to wait for the big event in April to know how important it is for the area’s smallest residents.
While shopping one day, event founder Ely Banuet-Rodriguez stopped to remind a child about the upcoming festivities.
“You could tell the impact. That child looked forward to it,” said event interim president Ramon Arriaga as he talked about that meeting.
The 15th annual Children’s Day Celebration, which is for ages 8-14, is April 18 at Johnson Park, 230 Ave. J South. Opening ceremonies are 10 a.m. and feature a balloon release, a prayer and then a proclamation read by Marble Falls Mayor George Russell. The free event ends at 3 p.m.
Free hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, roasted corn and other treats will be available to attending children.
Members of the Marble Falls fire and police departments will give kids an up-close look at their fire engines and police vehicles, and a helicopter will land in the park.
“The helicopter is no different than any other group for creating a learning scenario,” Arriaga said. “The kids will be able to ask questions, and they’ll be open to asking questions.”
Businesses and nonprofits are donating items and services, including face painting, and games such as pitch and putt, bean toss and a fishing tank will offer prizes.
Children also can learn proper hygiene, receive other health services and find out about careers.
But above all, the event is designed to let kids have fun.
“It’s a children’s day where they can come and enjoy themselves in the park,” said Terry Evans of Evans Electric and a Children’s Day Celebration executive board member.
Last year’s event attracted 2,300 children. But organizers are preparing for 2,600 this year, which means kids from San Saba, Llano, Cherokee and the surrounding area will be in attendance.
“They come from everywhere,” Arriaga said. “This is a Hill Country event.”
Executing a celebration this size requires the help of many, Evans said.
“We’re still looking for volunteers to help with the event,” he said. “We have people who need help setting up sometimes as early as 6 in the morning and tearing down between 3:30 and 4.”
Go to childrensdaytx.com to sign up to volunteer or for more information.
jfierro@thepicayune.com