Activities, safety lessons liven up a day in the park

CHRIS PAGANO * cpagano@semissourian.com

Toddlers gathered at the duck pond to enjoy a number identification game at Kids Day In The Park in Jackson. They are, from left, Dylan Koehler 22 months, and cousins, two-year-old Noah Wright and four-year-old Mason Wright.By Chris Pagano ~ Southeast Missourian

The 11th annual Kids Day in the Park, going strong since 1993, was held Saturday. It occurs appropriately at the beginning of summer break, reinforcing what older kids already know about safety and educating the younger ones. The event was held for the second year at shelter No. 3 in Jackson City Park, allowing more room to spread out while offering shade.

Bev Nelson, lieutenant governor of the Jackson Noon Optimists, said Kids Day in the Park was originally held to exemplify what the Optimists are all about. "The idea was actually a spinoff of our Safety City grand opening in 1992. The Scouts had put together a safety carnival for that day; due to inclement weather it was instead held at the Elks Lodge across the street. We just combined the carnival idea with fun and games and came up with Kids Day in the Park," Nelson said.

An expression of Optimists in Action Day, a national event, Kids Day aims to combine safety education while having fun.

No one excluded

Free admission and the absence of required registration automatically draw a crowd.

"We couldn't afford to spend a bundle and we didn't want to charge admission," Nelson said. "That might exclude some kids. Kids Day allows parents with limited resources to get out and enjoy a day in the park for free."

As costs rose, the Optimists relied on donations from the business community to help with expendable items like food. Games are reused each year.

Activities and games, set up in shaded areas or under tents, were interspersed by brightly colored clowns adding to the already picturesque day of blue clouds and sunshine. Games furnished from plywood and paint and supplies gathered from around the house typically received new looks, but their names, "The Soaker," "Plinko," and "Ye Olde Fishin' Hole," remained familiar. The "Wheel of Misfortune," similar to its namesake, was a game of safety related questions with rewards for correct answers. Kids lined up to play the game, and a long line indicated its popularity.

Leading youngsters in ever-popular karaoke was Classy Chassy Country.

The Cape County Firefighters gave smokehouse demonstrations, the Jackson Police Department invited youngsters to sit in the squad car and the American Red Cross distributed literature on disaster preparedness. Southeast Missouri Hospital's Main Street Fitness held races and provided activities centered around fitness while others, like the Travelers Protection Association, provided information on services they offer. The new inflatable slide was manned to assist toddlers up the steps and at the bottom of the slide.

Play money was distributed at key entry points for admission to the games.

Melissa Kraft, a mom from Jackson, said, "They feel more like they're paying their own way."

A play dollar was charged for each game; kids received only $10, attempting to help them learn to make choices and realize that the money does run out.

Nelson said it was the biggest turnout they'd had. "We started out with enough money for 700 kids. By 12:30 p.m. we began recycling the money; normally we don't have to do that until much later."

lede:

Thomas Koehler I, attending Kids Day for the first time with his son and other family members said, "One of the best things in Jackson is the parks." His dad, Thomas Koehler II, said, "I think it's great that three cousins can do something together supported by the community."