Youngsters enjoy fun-filled Child Fest
WAYNESBURG – The Greene County Fairgrounds was filled with the sounds of hundreds of children laughing, singing and having fun during the 10th annual “Child Fest” on Saturday. The free event for children and their families featured a day of games, activities, prizes, food, face-painting and entertainment, and organizers estimated that more than 400 children and approximately 200 to 250 total families attended.
From ladybugs and butterflies to birds and helicopters, more than two-dozen booths offered fun-filled activities focusing on this year’s theme, “Wings Over Greene County.”
During the event, children registered at the “castle” entrance and were handed a special map that highlighted the different activities and booths that were set up in the 4-H buildings.
Each booth featured a special activity, and children were given stickers that they could put on their map.
The event was once again hosted by John Buchanan of Child Care Information Services, who provided karaoke songs and other activities for the children.
The event also featured music and drama from Rebecca Marietta, a local day-care provider.
The event ended with music and a closing parade by James “Fuzzy” Randolph, Child Fest “piper.” Buchanan closed the program with drawings for kites and karaoke CDs.
Jan Smith and Jane Cooley, Child Fest committee coordinators, said they were “thrilled” to see Child Fest celebrating its10th anniversary.
“This is an amazing event,” said Cooley. “Child Fest has really become a tradition here in the county.”
The event began in 1994, when Jan Brunell, then the Family Center director, organized child-care providers to plan an event to help mark the “Week of the Young Child,” an initiative spearheaded by the National Association for the Education of the Young Child. The first event was held at the Shannopin Civic Club in Bobtown.
In 1995, the festival was moved to the fairgrounds. Cooley volunteered to assist in the planning of the event, and she has never looked back.
“I don’t think anyone involved with Child Fest ever realized how big it would eventually become,” Cooley said. “By the third year, we knew we had something special on our hands.”
As the event became bigger each year, more agencies and organizations collaborated with the committee in planning the event. The Child Fest committee is composed of representatives from numerous county agencies and organizations.
Over the years, the event has focused on a number of themes, including the county’s bicentennial, Dr. Seuss’ birthday, nursery rhymes, animals, child safety, literacy and fairy tales.
Both Smith and Cooley expressed their gratitude for the support of the county commissioners and for Buchanan, who has served as host of Child Fest all 10 years.
“He has been such a vital asset to Child Fest all these years,” Smith said. “His dedication to this event has been wonderful.”
Buchanan called Child Fest an “incredible experience.”
“I look forward to this event every year,” he said. “I would never miss it for the world.”
Last year, 280 families attended the event, including 497 children. Cooley said the numbers in 2003 were down a bit from the previous year, mostly due to rainy weather. The figures this year appeared to be on par with the past few years, Cooley said.
For more information about Child Fest, call 724-627-6120.