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Kids flock to Summer Fun Fest
Sunday, June 22, 2008
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Bianca Alfaro didn’t need much prodding before she tried the obstacle course set up at Napa Valley College’s track Saturday.

As her mother, Michelle Sanchez, watched, her 4 year-old daughter took less than a minute to jump and hopscotch the course at Napa Active 20-30’s first free Summer Fun Fest.
Nearby, boys and girls climbed a rock wall, built log cabins and checked out the fake snow at a hands-on booth, blew giant soap bubbles, lined up to get their faces painted or watched — with parents in tow — dance, gymnastics and martial arts demonstrations while seated on bales of haystacks.

Tennis players hit volleys with would-be players as young as 2-year-old Eduardo Martinez while Home Depot employees helped kids plant flowers.
Sanchez and other parents said they were glad they found out about the event. They’re always looking for kids activities in Napa, they said.

“I think Napa lacks a lot of kids’ activities,” Sanchez said.
Another mom, Cherice Vanderbilt, who came with her husband, Gray, and their two children, Emily, 3, and Andrew, 4, said she and her family enjoyed the event.

“It’s really nice they would put something together for the children ... keep them occupied.”

Later kids participated in a gunny sack contest, balloon fights and egg races during which a dozen kids ran across the field carrying an egg on a spoon.

Employees at the Hub, a Napa bike shop, built a skateboarding and bike acrobatics ramp for the event.

Napa Saints Football, a youth football and cheer organization, was among the two-dozen nonprofit organizations and community events that had a booth at the event.

“It seems like a neat little event,” said John Torres, the recreational football team’s new coach.

Parents said their kids were having fun.

“They’re having a great time,” said Carri Mello of her two daughters, Gracie, 8, and Tessa, 6, after watching a dozen boys and girls demonstrate their martial arts skills.

Napa Active 20-30 Club volunteers estimated about 300 children and adults attended Saturday’s events.

Danielle Gularte, chairwoman of the event, said the volunteers organized activities for all age groups — from pre-school age kids to teens.

“Kids are always complaining there is nothing to do in Napa,” Gularte said.

The event was modeled after a project designed by Leadership Napa, a program that encourages residents to learn and get involved in the community.

The Napa Active 20-30 Club, a longtime civic club in Napa County with about 40 members, plans to organize the same event next year.

“We’re hoping this becomes an annual event,” she said.
6 comment(s)

bloodagar wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:17 AM:

" Great job from the 20-30 Club!! "

hoozcryinow wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:09 AM:

" Hats off to the Napa Active 20-30 Club! My kids have outgrown this type of event and they & my grandkids live out of town. But if I had known about this, I'd have found a friend with access to the right age kids & we'd have been there! It sounds like it was fun!! "

shareathought wrote on Jun 22, 2008 6:02 PM:

" It's so great to have the 20-30 Club to contribute to the happiness of the young in our community with such an event (hopefully, the families enjoying, will remember to share their time with others, whether it is remembering coast to coast clean-up in the fall, singing Christmas Carols to those in assisted living during the winter, or any of the other many opportunities to contribute locally throughout the year)! "

Amelia wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:18 PM:

" I went to that event and nowhere did I see face painting. The gymnastics was awesome, the dance portion was good and girl scout sand bracelet making was fantastic. However, the first gunny sack race was totally unorganized and some of the people that were there just didn't seem friendly. Plus the heat made it difficult for the kids to want to play much since they would get tired so quickly. Overall, since the was the first one, I'm sure that next years will be even better. Can't wait for that one. "

momoffour wrote on Jun 23, 2008 1:53 PM:

" Maybe Amelia should change her name to "Crabby Abby". I took my sons and niece to Funfest and we all had a great time, despite the heat. It is wonderful and rare to have so many activities for all ages at one event. The kids loved watching the skateboarding, the rock climbing wall, and the picnic games. Many of the kids, mine included had never been in a gunny sack or egg race. It was terrific seeing "old fashioned" fun that doesn't require an electric plug or expensive equipment being had. It was also obvious that the organizers were trying to include as many kids as possible. One member even partnered with my son in the water balloon toss.
Funfest is a great gift to the community, Kudos to the 20-30 club. We all can't wait until next year. "

marcydeeds wrote on Jun 23, 2008 6:55 PM:

" Our new company Scientopia participated and we agree that it was a nicely done event for kids of all ages. I think Danielle and the 20/30 club folks deserve some praise for their efforts. At least 5-10 people from their team came over to thank us for participating.

When my daughter arrived she was delighted to get a snow cone, jump in the PB&J's jumpy house, see the Rockzilla wall , watch the BMX bikes practice, watch impromptu theater on the big stage, and feast on some food from Eco-Lunch. She did all of these great things in about an hour and a half. If the 20/30 club didn't organize this where else could she have had so much fun on a Saturday in Napa?

Yes, the wind and the heat were trying at times but over all it was a good day for all the families who attended. The only complaints we got were about heat and wind which are beyond the control of any organizers.

I think everyone (businesses and volunteers) who participated tried to make it great for the kids and they did. It's not easy to plan something of this size and get the funds for it so we are certainly appreciative as parents of two small children.

My only suggestion for next year would be to have it in town somewhere!!! "

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