CLEARLAKE — Konocti Kids Day is fast approaching and agencies from around Lake County and beyond are making final preparations to participate in this year”s event. A total 37 agencies have collaborated in effort to widen the scope of the festival, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17, at Austin Park in Clearlake.
Past events have been focused on Konocti district children age 0 to 5. This year, the event has been expanded to include activities for children of all ages. Furthermore, with the support of Lake Transit, an invitation to attend has been extended to all children and their families throughout Lake County with the transit service providing free transportation for Konocti Kids Day guests.
The theme of this year”s event is “Wild About Kids.” A challenge has been issued to participants to decorate their booths and displays in accordance with the theme.
A wide variety of interests will be represented at the event. Guests can expect to see educational and healthcare professionals, law enforcement and emergency service officials and equipment, skateboarders, bike riders and more. A special appearance by Team Hawk of the 129th RQS, Air National Guard will highlight the event.
The Team Hawk will provide Drug Demand Reduction presentations throughout the day. The team”s 65-foot military helicopter is one of several scheduled for appearance. The California Highway Patrol helicopter and the REACH air ambulance are also expected. Lake County Fire Protection District will be on hand as well, displaying a variety of emergency response equipment including its new aerial ladder unit. Fire personnel will also utilize the district”s Fire Safety Trailer to help teach children about prevention and preparedness, escape routes, defensible space and more. Emergency personnel will also provide car seat installation and quick safety check information and proper usage of bicycle helmets.
Officers of the Clearlake Police Department and Volunteers in Policing members will provide child and gun lock safety information along with child fingerprinting. An additional fingerprinting and child identification program will be offered by Marvin Carpenter”s Farmer”s Insurance Group in partnership with the CPD and Rotary Club of Clearlake. Carpenter will have available information in regard to the Managing Information on Lost Kids (MILK) program.
The program is aimed at aiding in the recovery of missing children. Parents will have the opportunity to obtain a free, standardized, high-quality digital image of their children and sign up for a free copy of the Home Organizer, developed by Imagery Concepts, LLC, which is a virtual filing cabinet for family records and documents. In the event of an emergency, the MILK digital ID can be immediately forwarded to local authorities and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Lake County Alcohol and Other Drug Services is partnering with Team DUI to bring mental health information to the event as well as information related to the prevention of underage drinking.
Several healthcare agencies will be in attendance such as Redbud Community Hospital, Sutter Lakeside Hospital and Lake County Public Health Department.
First 5 Lake County is participating in a statewide collaboration with Dr. Fresh to bring a hands-on health mobile van to Konocti Kids Day. The “Smiles For Miles” campaign will make a stop in Clearlake with its brightly-colored, interactive Hands-on Health van with education focused on oral health. Families will have an opportunity to learn more about oral hygiene and reducing tooth decay. Children will also receive a new FireFly, light-up toothbrush that helps kids learn how long they should brush.
Several non-profit organizations such as Lower Lake Sober Grad Night Committee, Pomo Preschool, Lower Lake Elementary and Burns Valley Parents will provide food booths. A multitude of children”s activities will coincide as will a bicycle helmet giveaway. Demonstrations by BMX bike riders and skateboarders will take place in the Andy Johnson Memorial BMX/Skatepark as well.
Konocti Kids Day is presented by Lake County Office of Education, Healthy Start. For more information, or to become a participant, please e-mail bvhealthystart@lake-coe.k12.ca.us.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
