Clinton Family Day this Saturday
Grab your sand buckets and beach towels-the seventh annual Clinton Family Day is Saturday, July 21 at the Town Beach. Coinciding with the annual Clinton Bluefish Festival (see story on page 1), the event promises a full day of fun for the younger set.
Sponsored by the Clinton Parks & Recreation Department and the First Selectman's Task Force, the day kicks off at 8:30 a.m. with activities running until 2:30 p.m. It is open to all Clinton residents and is completely free.
"It was initiated to unite families and have fun activities with your family, as a family," Family Day Coordinator Lois Ruggiero said. "It is an awesome way of showing that the entire community gets together and does something for the youth of the community."
Events are planned every hour-see the sidebar at right for details. There are also several activities that will be occurring throughout the day, including face painting, tattoos, beanbag toss, sand art, ring toss, arts and crafts, ping-pong, and an obstacle course. Captain Hook and Ariel will be at each event, and there will also be music played by a D.J. Snacks and light refreshments, including watermelon, cotton candy, popcorn, and slushies will be available, as well.
The popular water slide will be on location, but children must earn a ticket by participating in one of the events throughout the day in order to go on the slide.
"That's how we get them involved-if they want to go down the water slide they need to do something," Ruggiero said. "We want to make sure they're moving and doing something."
All children who participate in any activities will be awarded with prizes. Those who win first-, second-, and third-place will earn ribbons.
Ruggiero said the day couldn't be possible without the existence of her task force subcommittee that formed seven years ago and consists of herself, Kimberly Inglis, Nancy Popp, Amy King, Nancy Williams, and Andrea Ruggiero.
"I have a small but awesome organizational committee that has, basically, been with me since day one. Clinton Family Day wouldn't have become a reality without the continued support of [First Selectman] Willie Fritz. Family Day has grown over the years and has become a spectacular event," Ruggiero said. "The gratification comes from the smiles on the faces of the children and the 'thank yous' received from the parents throughout the day."
Along with the committee's efforts, a number of parents and youth volunteer the day of to help make the event as successful as possible.
"It warms my heart because now, as our seventh year, we have children from the Eliot School who were young children having fun, now volunteering themselves to help with Family Day. They're now giving back to their community and this is what the whole thing is about," Ruggiero said. "That to me is worth the many, many hours that it takes to put something like this together."
With more than 700 residents expected to attend, family members are encouraged to arrive early. For more information, contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 860-669-6901.
A Full Day of Fun
8:30 a.m.: Sand sculpture contest and registration
9:30 to 10 a.m.: Beach combing with environmentalist Dana Skidmore
10 to 10:15 a.m.: Potato on a spoon races
10:15 a.m.: Judging of sand sculpture contest
10:15 to 10:45 a.m.: Crazy dress-up races
10:45 to 11:15 a.m.: Sack races
11:15 to 11:30 a.m.: Beach ball relay races
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Tug of war, ages seven through nine
12:30 to 1:30 p.m.: Tug of war, ages 10 through 12
1:30 to 2:15 p.m.: Bucket brigade races
2:15 to 2:30 p.m.: Water balloon toss