South Berwick’s first Kid’s Day was almost too good for words. According to Jen Houghton, one of the master minds behind the day, the planning committee was happy when the first 20 kids and parents showed up. They must have been ecstatic by the end of the day because it looked as though hundreds took part in this simply perfect celebration of kids and the town. Kids looked like they were having a great time and judging by the big smiles on the faces of parents, grandparents and onlookers the day was a huge success all around.
Enough with the words, here are some pictures:
Baxter the Maine Library Coon Cat greeted kids and families as they gathered for the Everything Wheels parade.
There was a clown and Smokey the Bear from the Maine State Parks too.
People with all kinds of wheels got ready for the parade.
Central School Principal, Vicki Stewart was the Grand Marshall.
The Everything Wheels parade started and the kids and all their wheeled vehicles began to wend their way from the Community Center to Central School.
And still more rolled onto the street.
There were all kinds of bikes, trikes, wagons, scooters, skateboards, skates, and even cars.
Balloons, bright colors, and lots of happy kids made it a great parade.
There was even a pirate ship with a very cute pirate.
Bill Page and friends rode a bicycle built for four.
Town Manager John Schempf and an American eagle walk along the parade route.
Along the route other parents and children watched the procession of kids and their wheels. More than one said, “Next year we’ll be in the parade.”
The parade ended at Central School where there were all kinds of activities. Here children lined up for free bicycle helmets donated by the Kiwanis Club.
Sammie Haynes and friends led a sing-along.
There were lawn games.
Up and down Main St. there was fun to be had. Here, the Strawberry Festival hands out cotton candy.
At Historic New England’s Sarah Orne Jewett House there was a teddy bear and doll hospital dispensing sewing repairs, bandages, and kindness to much loved toys.
Community organizations sold treats. Here the Marshwood Class of 2012 sells PB&J sandwiches to raise money for class activities.
The Touch A Truck area behind P. Gagnon & Son was a popular place with kids getting to see all kinds of big trucks up close.
Even getting a chance to sit in the driver’s seat.
Inside P. Gagnon & Son a display of Lego constructions showed the creativity of the town’s young Lego experts.
Special Thanks to Kris Bisson for dotting every i and crossing every t at least six times in making sure that everything went off smoothly for the first annual Kids’ Day. Also the committee was able to head off a lot of issues by having the expertise and experience of long time town friend and supporter, Cynthia Gagnon. Jayne Morrell, mother of three older South Berwick children, jumped in without hesitation to make sure that the Lego Building Contest and Kids’ Day Auction became huge components of the day. My hat off to you three “wonder woman” for helping to nurture such a great experience for our kids and families. There were countless others who made this day possible.
Amy Miller – Got the word out!
Emily Beaudette- Smokey the Bear
Jayne & Her Son for cleaning up afterwards with Jan
Mark Leach & Mark Gagnon – Touch a Truck/Lego Contest
Kate Gagnon – MHS National Honor – painting hundreds of faces
Town of South Berwick – supported our efforts!
Chris Burbank – Spearheaded Safety
York Hospital South Berwick – 1st official Sponsor
PowderHouse Hill & Shawnee Peak – supporting kids all year
Bill Page – helping everywhere
Henry & Masons – donating use of tent
David Burke – jumped on board as first participating group – Seacoast Kiwanis – FREE Bike Helmets
SBRLL – feeding the hungry kids and families making it fun
South Berwick/Eliot Rotary – decorated our town and merchants
Mike Lassel – helped lay the ground work
Maine Stars Cheer Gym – exhibiting our Kids’ amazing skills
Class of 2012 – providing kid friendly food
South Berwick Library & Peter as Baxter
Sarah Orne Jewett House – repairing special friends
Molly Coleman – taking amazing pictures
Barb Mundell & PTO – free family movie in Gym
MSAD 35 – helping to spread the word
Sammie Haynes, Childlight Yoga, Jane Cowen-Fletcher, Ryan T. Higgins, & Kris Bisson for entertaining the crowds
Ski Team Boosters – refreshing the crowds with snow cones
Art to You, Let’s Paint, Rhonda Man & all, Doodlebugz, Clubhouse Kids, inspiring creativity.
Marla, Nicole, Children’s Leadership Council, Strawberry Festival, Bob’s Sporting Goods, South Berwick Rec, Coach Kat, & MANY MANY MANY OTHERS!!