By Robyn Bera
The Lake County Hero Project celebrated its final Hullabaloo of the school year on May 30 at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park. The free event attracted nearly 600 people, many in superhero costumes, from several communities around the lake. The Hero Project provided each child with a pair of superhero sunglasses, a reading book, a Hero Project coloring book and a free Jellystone wrist band.
Families enjoyed free made-to-order pizza and sandwiches from Lakeport’s Nutriblends. Performances included a cultural dance by the Ye-ma-bah Dance Group, a juggling act by Ian Smith, campfire stories by Cierrah Sherman, campfire songs by Martha Miller and a trampoline performance by Skycatch Gymnastics.
Children visited booths and participated in games and activities hosted by the Children’s Museum of Clearlake, Easter Seals, the Game Hub, Head Start, Healthy Start, Lake Family Resource Center, North Coast Opportunities, Public Health, and St. Helena Hospital, Clear Lake. Activities included a bean bag toss, can knock down, giant bubbles, water balloon toss, a jump rope contest, face painting, temporary tattoos, badminton, a pool noodle obstacle course and more. In addition, families enjoyed the mini golf course, bikes, boats, pool, playground and tug-o-war activities at Jellystone park.
The Hero Project organized a superhero parade that ran through the campground. Led by a chanting of “let’s go heroes, let’s go,” children rode the hayride while parents and bikes followed behind. Throughout the afternoon children scrambled to complete their Superhero Scavenger Quest and find items like tents, birds, capes and superhero logos. One child was randomly selected to win a prize. Prizes were distributed throughout the day and four families were honored for completing all eight challenges during the school year. These families won an official Hero Project cape, an inspiring piece of superhero wall art and a book on parenting.
The Hero Project is here to remind each and every parent that they have the power to be their child’s first and most important hero. The Hero Project will be hosting a brand new children’s section at the Lake County Fair in September where they’ll unveil their new smartphone app and their Superhero Scramble Obstacle Course.
Learn more about the Hero Project by visiting the website at www.lakecountyheroproject.com or by calling (707) 262-4133.
Robyn Bera is director of communications for the Lake County Office of Education.
