2000 at Celebrate Our Children Festival
Saturday, August 15, East Aurora’s McCarty Park filled with 2000 people for the 17th annual Celebrate Our Children festival. Triple Threat led the 2009 COC Event Planning Team of local churches and non-profits. Over 150 community volunteers served over 1000 kids and their families to offer free wholesome and safe fun, games, prizes, rides, activities, concessions, live entertainment and more. Twelve community booths provided give-aways, free blood pressure screenings and information on resources and services available for low-income families.
As Ward 2 Alderwoman Juany Garza welcomed the growing crowd, kids and families were already in line to get their tickets. The festival, sponsored by the city of Aurora, Ward 2 and local businesses and organizations was free to all elementary age kids and younger. Complimentary tickets were given at Registration along with a festival bag for kids to collect prizes and treats.
Volunteers clearly were there to serve, encourage and have fun with kids. The event was a huge success with children of an under-resourced community with limited opportunities truly being “celebrated!” Laughter filled the air as kids flew down the Giant Slide, pet the baby lambs, interacted with clowns, stage performers and a magician; played carnival games and spun the prize wheel. A new addition this year was the popular Triple Threat Mentoring area. For one ticket kids received a Triple Threat wristband and could endlessly play numerous athletic activities, work on a community theme mural or even learn to play the djembe.
As the day came to a close, families wandered the park with their kids to squeeze in a pony ride, get that last fun tattoo or climb the giant obstacle course. Clutching event bags filled with their prizes and gifts, kids stood patiently in line with their tickets for free freeze pops, popcorn or cotton candy. The happy faces having fun in the heat and cooling off in the water spray pad and exhausted toddlers asleep in parents’ laps on the grass said it all: a good time was had by all.
Triple Threat would like to thank volunteers, sponsors and partners on behalf of the 2009 Events Planning Team: Triple Threat Mentoring, First Presbyterian Church, Luz Divina, Warehouse Church, Wayside Cross Ministries, and Ginger Creek Community Church.