About 1,000 people flock to Parks and Rec Day

About 1,000 people converged Friday on the Osage Centre for the annual Parks and Rec Day, which had cake, dancing, ice cream and a myriad of other activities to keep children and parents entertained.

"I think it's gone really well so far," recreation coordinator Cassie Essner said Friday afternoon.

Along with a first birthday celebration for Playmo, mascot of the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department, Tracker, Rowdy the Redhawk and Wehren-bear, mascot of Wehrenberg Theaters, tripped the light fantastic with the children and offered hugs. Twenty vendors also were there.

Bounce houses, Nerf wars, making rubber bracelets, milking cows, a petting zoo and massages were among the popular draws for attendees. Members of the Cape Girardeau Fire Department brought a firetruck, and the Cape Girardeau Police Department handed out free helmets to promote bicycle safety.

The parks and recreation department also had its own booth where parents could sign up for free admission to Cape Splash for one child with the purchase of one adult ticket.

Seven-year-old Isaac Edmonds was a bounce house fan "because it makes you jump really high." And he said seeing all the mascots was "cool."

Rhonda Navarro, volunteer from Grace Fellowship Family Worship Center in Marble Hill, Missouri, said 23 people, including about 20 children, attended. Their group, Sonforce, was about ready to go after at least two hours of fun.

"I love the Nerf room and bouncy houses," said 10-year-old Austin Navarro, adding that one of his favorite things was the birthday songs for the mascots.

"It was Playmo's birthday. I kept dancing to those songs. It was fun," Navarro said.

Regina Borneman, volunteer for SEMO District Fair Kidszone, had children milking a plywood cow, exploring wheat, flowers and cattails in a metal tub and engaging in various arts and crafts.

Borneman said this was the first year she's been to Parks and Rec Day. "And I really enjoyed everything that we have done," she said.

Cole Lantz of Lazy L Safari Park, a walk-through zoo, took goats, a zebu and an African spur-thigh tortoise to the event. "I think we've been pretty busy. Everybody seems to enjoy it," Lantz said.

The event was sponsored by the Southeast Missourian Jr. and the Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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