The fourth annual JeffCo Family Fun Day will be held Saturday with plenty of free activities for families to enjoy together.
The event, sponsored by the Jefferson County Drug Prevention Coalition and the Jefferson County Health Department, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon outside the First Baptist Church of Arnold, 2012 Missouri State Road.
At the same time, First Baptist Church’s Strawberry Festival will be held inside the Family Life Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival, a quilt auction and craft festival, is a fundraiser for the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home.
Jillian Bissell, Drug Prevention Coalition coordinator, said no admission will be charged to take part in Family Fun Day, which includes a bounce house and obstacle course; Kona Ice and healthy snacks; a petting zoo; a balloon artist; visits with Spider-Man and Glinda the Good Witch; and a chance to win Arnold Rec Center passes.
She said they are adding a fourth tent this year to provide more covered seating.
“The event is rain or shine because we have rented large event tents that provide protection from the weather,” Bissell said. “We will also have a cooling station available and manned by first responders.”
The first 500 in attendance at the Family Fun Day will receive free food vouchers to redeem at the church’s Strawberry Festival.
Other activities include fire truck and ambulance tours from 10:30 a.m. to noon and a fire truck spray down at 11 a.m., weather permitting. Bissell said they are adding a second face painter this year due to popularity.
The Health Department will hold a bike rodeo for children to learn about bike and scooter safety on a fun and interactive course. Families should bring their children’s bikes or scooters and helmets. Kids also can try out a Smoothie Bike.
More than 20 community partners will provide free activities, games and giveaways.
“There are three sets of various age-appropriate prizes that can be won just by visiting the various vendors,” Bissell said, adding that drawings will be held at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon.
About 700 people attended last year.
“Everything is free at the event, which is a huge draw,” Bissell said. “We can provide this service to the community because of generous donations we have received from the Arnold Tourism Commission, First Baptist Arnold allowing us to use their space and ongoing support from our amazing community partners.
“There is a large variety of activities for families to enjoy at the event, and everyone leaves with a bag full of goodies for them to take home after. Besides fun and games, our community partners give families the opportunity to connect with essential resources and services throughout the event.”
She said the focus is to provide information about free and low-cost activities for families to do together over the summer and year-round.
“We even create a Jefferson County specific activity sheet for families to take home,” Bissell said.