Annual celebration provides family fun and information

COSHOCTON – Victor Reneker, of Coshocton, cut short his work day Thursday to accompany his children to the annual Family Fun Day, held this year at Kids America.

“I didn’t go back to work because I wanted to be here with the kids,” he said.

The children, two boys and two girls, especially enjoyed running on the track and jumping in the bounce house, he said.

Devlin Dotson, of Coshocton, brought his three sons to the event. This is their second year attending.

“They’re excited,” he said. “They love to get out and do something in the community that we can enjoy too.”

They were among more than 300 children and 100 adults registered one hour into the free three-hour event, with more people lined up to enter by 6 p.m. for the final two hours.

This is the Fun Day’s first year at Kids America, said Anne Randles, Children Services administrator for Coshocton County Job and Family Services. The Coshocton County Fairgrounds hosted it for at least 15 years, she said, last year attracting more than 500 people.

Fewer people attend when the weather is wet or chilly, Randles said, and organizers hope the new location can keep visitors warm and dry under a roof.

The Ohio Children’s Trust Fund annually donates $2,000 to Coshocton County to promote Child Abuse Prevention Month, which continues through the end of the month, Randles said.

Local officials use that money for Family Fun Day, which features inflatables, face painting, crafts, giveaways and food, as well as educational materials detailing services from area agencies, including Head Start, First Step and Help Me Grow.

“It appeals more to the younger children, but everybody is welcome,” Randles said.

Willa Hamersley, director of the Coshocton County WIC Program, a nutrition program for women, infants and children, stayed busy passing out toothbrushes to all interested children.

“I’ve got about 400,” she said. “I expect they’ll be gone.”

Hamersley has participated for many years.

“It’s a good event,” she said. “We get a lot of good information out to the people about the services available to them.”

The day also featured closeup looks at an armored personnel carrier that the Coshocton County Sheriff’s Office uses for its armed response team and a pumper from the Jackson Township Fire Department.

jwilliams6@coshoctontribue.com

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