A trip to Austin Park on Saturday, May 17, was like a trip to Disneyland. With so many sights to see and countless activities to participate in, Konocti Kids Day offered something wild and wonderful for everyone.
More than 40 agencies collaborated in bringing educational, health and safety information to Lake County families. With the help of Lake Transit, which provided free transportation to guests from around the lake, attendance numbers totaled in the thousands.
“The turnout was great,” said event coordinator Mary Sherman, of Lake County Office Education, Healthy Start following the event. “We had over 40 agencies participating and we think we probably had more than 2,000 guests.”
Booths, decorated in theme, showcased a community that”s “Wild About Kids.” Agencies representing various interests lined the park from one end to the other making it impossible to take in all the sights without periodic breaks from the sweltering sun.
Big hit of the day was the 16-foot-high, 64-foot-long HH-60G Pavehawk helicopter that seemed to capture everyone”s attention, children and adults alike. There was a constant gathering around Team Hawk as all were anxious to learn more about the craft and talk to the men who operate it.
Youngsters were invited to climb inside the helicopter where crew members of the 129th Rescue Wing told them about the machine and the duties they perform. When Team Hawk isn”t out conducting combat search and rescue missions, it is on the ground reaching youngsters with its drug prevention message.
“The helicopter is an attention-getting tool we use as an opportunity to talk to kids about drug prevention,” said Pilot Brian Finnerty, adding that the team also stresses to the youngsters that any goal is obtainable and that they can do anything that they want to in life.
Team Hawk caused quite an up stir (of dirt) when it landed at the park on Friday evening. Members of the Clearlake Police Department”s Explorer Program were charged with detouring traffic around the landing perimeter. Despite the rude behavior and inappropriate language directed toward the youngsters by impatient motorists, the Explorer cadets remained polite and courteous as they followed their orders, re-routing traffic and ensuring public safety.
Lake County Fire Protection District”s Fire Safety Trailer was also a big hit at the event. “The kids are loving it,” said Christy Murch, wife of battalion chief George Murch; who volunteered to help with the event. “I can”t keep enough (information) bags on the table there are so many kids coming through here.”
Joyce Overton reported seeing more than 200 visitors at the booth she helped man for Marvin Carpenter”s Farmers Insurance Group. The booth, working in collaboration with Rotary Club of Clearlake, the Clearlake Police Department and the Volunteers in Patrol unit, provided an opportunity for data-basing child information. The booth introduced the Managing Information on Lost Kids (MILK) program to the community, which is aimed at aiding in the recovery of missing children. The program integrates digital imaging, child fingerprinting and individual information in a computer system that can be immediately forwarded to authorities in the event of an emergency.
At the center of the event, was the brightly-colored, highly-visible Hands-on Health Van, which was brought to Konocti Kids Day through a partnership with First 5 California and Dr. Fresh dental product manufacturer. The exhibit hosted every color of the rainbow in a display that attracted and maintained the attention of the youngsters. The line at the exhibit held a healthy flow as children patiently waited to play educational games aimed at oral health and receive their free FireFly light-up toothbrush.
Various children”s activities were offered throughout the event. Children enjoyed painting, coloring, spinning for prizes, playing with bird seed and making their own jewelry and sun visors. “We spent a half and hour at one booth because my kids didn”t want to stop painting,” said Brenda Lax, who is a mother of three Konocti kids.
Main stage entertainment included performances by the Burns Valley Youth Choir, Konocti Cloggers, Expressive Motion Dance and Pomo Elementary School”s “Kids Rock” guitar students.
Americorps volunteers were seen throughout the event helping with various activities and booth operations. Volunteers helped fit 315 kids with brand new bicycle helmets as well.
Konocti Kids Day is presented by Lake County Office of Education, Healthy Start. This year”s event enjoyed the support and participation of local, regional and state agencies.
Contact Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com.
