200 kids and lots to do: Sahuarita celebrates

The Town of Sahuarita in partnership with United Way hosted “Celebrate the Kids” at the Town Plaza on Saturday. The festival was a representation of the spirit of community and mutual assistance that characterizes the residents of Sahuarita and Green Valley, both young and old.

To open the festival, Town Manager John Stahle, speaking on behalf of Mayor Lynne Skelton, proclaimed that the “Celebrate the Kids” festival was being to honor the National Week of the Young Child, April 1 through April 25.

The free community event fulfilled the vision of Sue Payne, Town of Sahuarita Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator, and Vanessa Felty, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Director of Community Mobilization. Their planning and creativity brought about a festival which more than achieved the goal of not only entertaining and educating children but making their parents aware of the many varied community resources available to them, often at low or no cost.

Partnering with the Town of Sahuarita and United Way in hosting the festival were McDonald’s, Rancho Sahuarita, Pima County Libraries and Sahuarita Express Library.

About 200 children came to the festival and were enthusiastically greeted by a clown (courageous and green-haired Stahle). Other “characters” mixing with the crowd were Robin Hood (Holly Coleman) and Raggedy Ann (Brittani Phillips). Two-time Grammy-nominated composer and musician Enrique “Hank” Feldman provided inspiring stories and brain games for youngsters.

The children attending “Celebrate the Kids” immersed themselves in the many fun yet educational activities provided by festival participants. There was a Rural/Metro 911 emergency van to inspect with complimentary fire hats; a stroller parade for the less ambulatory attendees; young Irish folkdancers performed to the delight of the crowd; bounce houses compliments of Rancho Sahuarita; Ronald McDonald handed out apple dippers courtesy of the Sahuarita McDonald’s. Sponsored by the Town of Sahuarita, Freeport McMoRan, and the American Red Cross, free bike safety helmets were given to youngsters

Other highlights of the many enjoyable activities were a hilarious puppet show by Sahuarita Baptist Church Puppets spearheaded by Claudia Sawyer and interactive weaving and felting demonstrations by Debbie Brunner of Southwestern Fiber Artists. The Sahuarita Art Guild, represented by officers Sherry Darrah and Phyllis Culver, provided children with an opportunity to showcase their own creativity through drawing and painting.

Of course, one of the big hits of the festival was Grandpa Gardener (W. R. Van Nostrand) reading from the new book he wrote with Jane Hall-Van Nostrand), a charming rhyming tale of “What a Seed Needs.” Grandpa Gardener asked the children, “What do you think a seed needs?” And, of course, the children guessed correctly (and loudly) that a seed needs water, soil, and sunlight in order to grow and flourish.

Arizona Public Media/PBS for Children, educating parents on how to make bedtime pleasant and relaxing for both children and parents, helped children make “sand animals” and handed out packets of tomato seeds to be grown at home. The Sahuarita School District Early Childhood Center read amusing stories to children assisted by adorable hand puppets. Some of the most popular stories included, “Leo the Late Bloomer,” Your Mama is a Llama,” and “Five Little Monkeys.”

The Community Food Bank was also present at the festival, providing little-known facts about the Food Bank. Did you know that the Food Bank operates a highly productive farm in Marana?

A perfect example of a terrific community resource represented at the festival is one of which many parents may not be fully aware: the United Community Health Center with three locations throughout the greater Green Valley area and a new pediatric facility to open in Sahuarita in the fall. There are also School Wellness Centers at several schools in the area. According to Arleen Boyulus and pediatrician Dr. Steve Maron of UCHC, “No child is ever turned away, regardless of the parents’ ability to pay. Everyone is welcome at our facility.”

The Pima County Public Libraries and Sahuarita Express Library were present at the festival in order to make children and their parents aware of little-known library services such as public computers; wireless internet; teen computer rooms; story times for toddlers and pre-school children; family programs; summer reading clubs for adults, teens, and children; and used books available for sale. Local libraries also offer cultural programs; travel lectures; computer classes; children’s craft programs; literary programs; and tutoring. As they say, “It’s your library. Befriend it!”