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Blue Manufacturing
To Keep Kids Strong and Safe !
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The Date!!
The
26th Annual Saturday, August 21st, 2010 |
Strong Kids Safe Kids is a full day of educational activities and family entertainment aimed at promoting awareness of children's health and safety issues and the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Hundreds and hundreds of community agencies and businesses have joined forces over the past 25 years to stage the event, which is attended by thousands of Chemung County families every year.
Strong Kids is not a fund-raising event...all activities and services are provided free to children and their families. One of the most beneficial outcomes of the event is that it provides families with a fun filled day to spend together without having to worry about money. Mom and Dad can take their kids " to the fair " without worrying about saying no to things they can't afford. Everything at Strong Kids is Free! - including a bag of free school supplies for every child who completes 10 acitivities at participating booths.
Agencies are asked to provide free, hands on activity or entertainment for children in addition to handing out information about agency services. Past activities have included fishponds, coloring contests, miniature golf, dunking booths, face painting, arts and crafts, exotic animal displays, an obstacle course and campfire cooking. Costumed animals and cartoon characters roam the area including Sponge Bob Square Pants, Elmo, and Smokey the Bear.
All county fire and law enforcement agencies are involved whose displays include a smokehouse, fire trucks, police cars, McGruff the Safety Dog, photo ID's, bike safety, and car seat safety checks. Kids enjoy learning about school bus safety from Buster the Bus, and area medical providers provide health screenings, an emergency helicopter appearance and an ambulance display.
Free Entertainment on the main stage has included, dance troups, choral groups, magicians, african drummers, Flame the Band, and magicians. Cheerleaders, gymnasts, and clowns, entertain throughout the park. A miniature train provides rides for free and kids jump for joy in the Balloon Typhoon, and stretch their muscles on a climbing wall and giant slide. Exciting additions to the event in 2009 include horse back rides and a giant "color it yourself" mural created by local artist Denny Smith.
Strong Kids Safe Kids is organized by an all volunteer standing committee made up of representatives of local businesses and community organizations. The committee solicits donations from businesses and organizations to assist with the purchase of supplies, printing, give-away's, postage and performer fees. and uses any profits from food sales to fund start up costs for the next years event and add new attractions to the event. Advertising includes television and radio PSA's, flyers, posters, print and appearances on local talk shows.