For decades the
Holmes County Fair has remained loyal to being a junior fair devoted to the
kids.
One addition to
the weeklong events has been the Kids Day activities in the Baker Building,
where families and especially kids could roll into an air-conditioned building
and experience fun to the max, exploring dozens of activities
provided by local businesses and organizations.
Kids Day took
place Wednesday, Aug. 6 from noon to 4 p.m., and one step inside the Baker
Building exposed one reality: There was plenty of joy to be found.
Carey Conn of
AloNovus, which sponsors the event, said The Bargain Hunter’s desire to remain
loyal and connected to the fair led the decision to host Kids Day.
“We wanted to find
a new way to support the fair in a meaningful way, and that first year they
needed a sponsor for Kids Day, so we felt it was ideal,” Conn said. “If you
think about the fair, it’s really all about the kids and creating something
special for them, whether it’s the livestock, the rides or the games.”
Creating something
fun for younger kids was a big part of this event, and in addition to AloNovus’
sponsorship, the event wouldn’t be possible without the dedication and support
of the many businesses, agencies and organizations that set up tables and offered
kids everything from prizes and candy to games and activities that allowed kids
to take home creations of their own making.
Youngsters James DeWitt, left, and Aiden Troyer enjoy the pig feeding station at Cardinal Therapy during Kids Day.Dave Mast
Of course, all of
this wouldn’t be possible without the support of local businesses, agencies and
organizations that brought the fun in every way possible.
On the east side
of the Baker Building, members from Rodhe’s IGA were busy helping kids make
their own snack bags out of about a dozen different snack items.
“This is a way for
us to give back,” Keri Rodhe said. “The kids aren’t the ones shopping, but their
parents are, and this is a fun treat they can have that saves their parents the
price of some fair food.”
Sarah McGuiness,
owner of the Duncan Theater, was busy helping youngsters create small cartoon
characters they could color and design.
She said the
excitement of participating stems from her love for the kids and the chance to
share more about the neat things happening at the theater.
Brynlee Eastep, left, and Raylin Donaldson are all smiles after crafting their own crowns at the Millersburg Methodist Church booth at Kids Day.Dave Mast
“Kids Day is all
about community, and we always want to be involved with community any way we
can,” McGuiness said.
Kristen Yoder was
one of several people manning Village Toy Shop’s table. Their
decorative pinwheels were a huge hit. And what could possibly go better with
Kids Day than a toy shop?
“We’ve done this
for years now. And what makes more sense than for a toy store to be connected
with a kids event?” Yoder said. “It’s such a fun day and a big way for all of
us here to give back to the families who support us.”
Up and down the
makeshift aisles of the Baker Building, kids were laughing, exploring, playing
and creating, and like so many of the Holmes County Fair events, this one only
added to the joy of visiting the county fair.
It also provided a
perfect opportunity for families to enjoy activities together, and there were
more than a few photo opportunities available.
“What a great
day,” Conn said. “There’s so much fun and energy. Kids’ faces were
lighting up. We did a ‘find Mr. Bargain Hunter’ for the kids, and even some
parents played along. Our hope was that this event would add to the fair’s
appeal, and it definitely did.”
