Local kids have enjoyed the free fun and food offered at Kiwanis Kids Day for 18 years. This year’s event is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at Tracy Park. Activities include the Mark Wood fun show, a petting zoo, food, games, just to name a few—all free.
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
Submitted photo
PORTSMOUTH- An event full of free fun and food is coming up for local kids Saturday, Sept. 16, at Tracy Park, thanks to Portsmouth Kiwanis as the annual Kiwanis Kids Day.
Among the family friendly events happening: inflatables, a petting zoo, face painting, Mark Wood fun show, balloons, Portsmouth Police Department’s K-9 unit, Portsmouth Fire Department, free bicycyle checks by Portsmouth Connex, and more.
“Everyone in our club is passionate about helping children,” said Dan DeLotell, one of the event organizers this year. “We offer everything from donations to other non-profit organizations who help children to sponsoring several scholarships for high school seniors heading into college at Shawnee State University.”
This is DeLotell’s first year organizing the event with co-chair Sean Davis. For 17 years, Rick Morgan and Wayne Thompson organized the event.
“They did an outstanding job. Sean and I hope to be able to continue to make this event as successful as they did,” DeLotell said. “This event is free to all area children. We are hoping for good weather and a big turnout.
The event is a crowd pleaser and one that allows Kiwanians the opportunity to show off one of their projects: the playground equipment at Tracy Park. The club is working toward updating the equipment, which resembles a riverboat, with more play opportunities for children with disabilities. They are raising funds for the addition of ADA-compliant equipment at one of Portsmouth’s most visible downtown parks.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, at Portsmouth’s Tracy Park.
According to the Kiwanis website, “Kiwanis empowers communities to improve the world by making lasting differences in the lives of children. Kiwanis strives to be a positive influence in communities worldwide—so that one day, all children will wake up in communities that believe in them, nurture them and provide the support they need to thrive. Our Kiwanis club fulfills the Kiwanis mission by serving our community through Kiwanis Community Service Projects.”
