Project Child festival planned

May 14, 2008 10:01 am

— By TESA CULLI
tesa.culli@register-news.com
MT. VERNON — The focus will be on families and fun this Saturday at the Eighth Annual Project CHILD Children’s Festival, held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rend Lake MarketPlace.
“Our main goals on Saturday are to provide a free day of fun for families, keep attendance growing and get information to parents about services provided out in the community,” Trinda Heitmeyer of Project CHILD said.
Project CHILD is a grant-funded program under the Department of Human Services and part of Rend Lake College, Heitmeyer explained. Project CHILD provides support services for child care providers and parents who need help finding child care and paying for child care. In addition, the program offers help to people seeking child care licensing and helps parents get in touch with agencies that provide resources for children and families.
About 40 area organizations will be on hand during the festival with activities for children and information on services provided to teachers, parents and adults.
“It keeps growing year after year,” Heitmeyer said. “Over the years, we have added a petting zoo, and a local 4-H group brings ponies for rides.”
Most of the activities at the festival will be free, with the exception of the pony rides, which are a fundraiser and offered at the cost of $1, and booths selling food as fundraisers for non-profit organizations at minimal fees.
Free activities include an inflatable area, which Heitmeyer said is a big hit with the youngsters who attend and include a giant slide and bounce houses.
The Lion’s Club will be offering train rides, a Teddy bear clinic will be held as well as carnival games and visits from Dora the Explorer, Mickey Mouse and Pablo from the Backyardigans. Prizes and giveaways are also on tap for the day.
Heitmeyer said she is hoping to attract more visitors than last year’s fest, which had a record-setting 2,000 attendees.
“The best thing about it is that it’s a free festival and a great place to bring the family for a day of affordable fun,” Heitmeyer said.
Additional information about the Project CHILD festival and the program is available by calling 244-2210.