Kids flock to Summer Fun Fest
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Ryan Benson, 24, of Napa, and rider for The Hub bike shop, flies through the air off the ramp at the Active 20-30 Club’s community event for families at the Napa Valley College track. Lianne Milton/Register Photos |
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Michaela Munson, 12, left, and Emily Sousa, 12, both members of the Expressions Dance Team, clip up a rock wall provided by Rockzilla. |
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By KERANA TODOROV
Register Staff Writer
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.
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bloodagar wrote on Jun 22, 2008 10:17 AM:
hoozcryinow wrote on Jun 22, 2008 11:09 AM:
shareathought wrote on Jun 22, 2008 6:02 PM:
Amelia wrote on Jun 22, 2008 8:18 PM:
momoffour wrote on Jun 23, 2008 1:53 PM:
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:
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!!! "