Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/30175
Kidstuff: A Welcome Venue for Families Now in it’s eighth year, the Partnership For Children of Cumberland County is hosting Kidstuff —the children’s area at the Dogwood Festival. The area will once again be filled with free child-friendly games and activities that both educate and entertain. With the crowds that pack Festival Park during the Dogwood Festival, it is no wonder that more than 8,000 families visit Kidstuff during the course of the event. While they are there the children have a chance to participate in enriching educational experiences in a safe environment, while grown-ups have access to loads of information as well as a chance to catch their breath from the hustle and bustle of the crowded midway. The toddler zone is one of the key components of Kidstuff. It is designed for children 5-years-old and younger and has been a huge hit with the fes- tival’s youngest visitors over the past few years — and this year look for it to be even bigger. There is a soft area with mats and mini slides and foam blocks for babies and toddlers to burn off some energy without getting hurt. Water and sand tables, and other games designed for the five and under set will be returning to the venue too. Always a big hit, don’t miss the inflat- ables — slides and bouncy houses — and the best part (for mom and dad, at least) is that it won’t cost a thing for little Johnny or Sally to play on them. This is all provided free of charge to the community. “We host Partnership’s Kidstuff every year because we believe children learn best through play, especially when they are doing it with the signifi- cant others in their lives. During this time of war and economic hardship we wanted to offer families hope and inspiration with a breathtaking one-of-a- kind attraction,” said Karen McDonald, PFC board chair. “We are able to provide the expanded Toddler Zone to the Fayetteville region because of the generosity of our sponsors. They truly embrace the Smart Start principle that it takes the entire community to ensure all children are prepared to succeed.” Just a few steps away, the Rock-A-Bye tent is a place where nursing mother’s can seek shade, comfort and privacy. The enclosed area provides rocking chairs. Diaper-changing tables complete with wipes and hand sani- tizer are also available in another area of the tent. Because the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County seeks to help children and their families be happy and successful, they will also have resources available on a variety of family and parenting-related topics. At Kidstuff, families can learn about resources in the community that are there to help them in many different areas. They are also able to participate in a needs assessment. This helps the Partnership for Children of Cumberland County know how to use their resources to best meet the needs of the community. You can find out more about the Partnership and all the wonderful things that they do in the community at www.ccpfc.org or by calling 867-9700. Hit the Streets for the YMCA Dogwood 10K Each year the Dogwood Festival offers a bevy of sanctioned events to the community and the YMCA Dogwood Run: Run for Your Hero! 5K has been a favorite among athletes since it began 21 years ago. It’s a way to give back to the community, have fun and still be a part of the Dogwood festivities. It starts early so you won’t miss any of the fun that the day will hold. Take in the azalea and dogwood blooms as the USA Track and Field-certifi ed race takes you through some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in the city, and cross the fi nish line knowing that you are contributing to the youth of our community. Start times are: the 10K Relay 7:30 a.m., 10K Individual & 10K Stroller 7:40 a.m., 5K Hero Team, 5K Individual & 5K Stroller 7:50 a.m. Later in the morning, at about 9 a.m. there is a free kids run for children ages 2-8 years old. Funds raised by the race help fund the Lessons for Life swim safety program at the YMCA which provides 500 children free swimming lessons and water safety lessons. Participating in the event lets you live up to the YMCA’s goal of helping build healthy minds, bodies and spirits. The race starts in the FTCC parking lot on Hull Road. Over the years the YMCA has taken feedback from the commnity and from participants about how to make it better. The Run For Your Hero theme has been so popular that they’ve decided to keep it, well, because you just can’t beat celebrating heroes that build strong kids, families and communities. In the weeks leading up to the race the YMCA is accepting essays about personal heroes. Essay winners and their heroes will be announced on the day of the race. Register online at active. com before noon on April 27. You may register during packet pick up on April 28 from 5 - 8 p.m. at Village Coffee House, or you may register on race day from 6 a.m. until 7:15 a.m. at the race location. Registration costs between $15 and $25 depending on how early you preregister, and of course, the free events cost nothing. For questions concerning volunteering in the race or participating in the race, call Audra Williams at 323-0800. Shop now at www.mythirtyone.com/joyc For more information, or to host a show, call 910-551-2883 or e-mail joy31@me.com 6 DOGWOOD FESTIVAL APRIL 27 - MAY 3, 2011 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM You’re invited to a event!