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Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Summer's Magic Comes Alive!

While thinking about a lead into a short post about a sunkissed-summer event, Sarah Summers' words were timely: 

"In a world of popsicles and flip-flop days, summer's magic never fades."

Last Saturday morning, a dedicated Kids Summer Fun Fest committee worked diligently with my co-chairman and me to transform the Creekside Community patio areas and outdoor pool into a kids' wonderland. It was one of those HOT summer days with blue skies and no dark clouds. As everyone proceeded to their assigned stations, our first 8-year-old guest entered with his grandmother. There were many stations for him to check out, such as the dance party patio with hula hoops, lawn games, crafts table, face painting, and water tattoos area. A few minutes later, more children from toddlers to 12-year-olds entered with their smiling grandparents and parents. Everybody was ready for a day of summer magic. 

Refreshments of water, crunchy goldfish and pretzels, and assorted-flavored popsicles were waiting. Stations started filling with participants. Lively chatter could be heard even with the dance music playing in the background. While waiting for the pool to open, the children mingled with each other and adults chatted with neighbors and family members while helping their little ones navigate the fun fest activities. A hula hoop demonstration was set up by two smiling adults who happened to know how to use the hoops. It was fun watching the older kids join in with their moving moves. A group of tween boys showed their ability to use the hoops as we watched them in awe. They wiggled, threw the hoops in the air, and slid them across the patio. Shouts of joy and clapping added to the festivities. 

Photos were taken before the pool opened. The whistle blew and no more than 38 children and adults were allowed into the pool area at a time Some children stayed in the station areas having fun with the adult monitors. Some ran in an out of the pool area to grab tasty treats, while others swam, played water basketball, and splashed around. Summer magic did not fade during the two-hour block of time. 

When the fun fest was nearing an end, each child stopped at the Treasure Chest Station to choose one of the prizes. Glow stick items were chosen; the headband with the little mouse ears was the most sought-after treasure. As we waved goodbye to our guests, we sighed with relief that no one needed the first aid kit, there was no rain, and everyone enjoyed themselves. The committee chatted about the successful event as they began the clean-up process. I think even the adults and committee enjoyed this summer event which was the first-ever Kids Summer Fun Fest. 

Below you will find a cherita, the Malay word for story or tale. I created a cherita poem comprised of three stanzas with 1 line in the 1st stanza line, 2 lines in the 2nd stanza, and 3 lines in the 3rd stanza. I also designed a digital invitation that provides an introduction to the event and my poem. After the last stanza, you will find a photograph of families and children enjoying the pool. Placed together the cherita poem, with the digital ad and photograph become an image poem.

joyful summertime celebration

kids follow the trail to fun
hula hoops twirl, faces shine with fresh paint, tattoos adorn arms and faces 

kids splash in the pool for a cool-down, fun time
grandparents and parents smile with contentment
kids exit with a prize as thank yous float through the air 
©CVarsalona, 2023
🌞
At the end of the day, my co-chairperson and I knew that the committee provided a world of popsicles and joyful fun activities, letting each child share in summer's magic.
 

I share this Slice of Life with Two Writing Teachers who open their space weekly as a meeting place for reflective writers. 

🌞Happy Summer, everyone. May each day be magical!🌞

10 comments:

  1. Carol, what a fun filled day you and your committee planned. I am sure it was lots of work organizing it, but well worth it to see the smiles on all of the faces. What a great way to bring the community together. Popsicles on a hot day...what could be better? I am sure that in your mind you have already started planning next year's event.

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    1. Bob, we are started the process in May. We had to present before our Activities Committee in May. There were many levels of meetings before bringing information to a public meeting since this was never done before. The easy part was working with our large committee. I felt I was back in the days of districtwide administrating. You are right about thinking ahead. We are now getting feedback from the committee, attendees, and even neighbors who were not able to attend. In total, we had 114 adults, children, and committee members present at the successful event. Have a wonderful day. Rain is back but birds are still flitting around and the gardens are enjoying their fill of rainwater.

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  2. What great fun for your community! Congrats on being part of the magic (brought to be by lots of planning and work!)

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    1. Thank you, Diane, for the comment. The planning and preparation of the day made everything grand.

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  3. What a treat if a day!

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  4. The children and adults will remember the occasion for a long time 😊

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  5. Carol, this is event is just fantastic! It it is exactly what communities need. The joy, the festivity - the celebration of one another, across generations. True community-building. I never could do the hula hoop and have always been awed by those who can. I can almost see the glee on the 'tween boys' faces. Your poem is a perfect encapsulation - I feel refreshed just by having partaken vicariously.

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  6. Carol, what a magical and memorable day you and your team put together for the kids. Just reading about all of the activities and thinking about eating an 'orange' Popsicle put a smile on my face.

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    1. Thanks, Debbie Lynn. This afternoon the chairs of the Activities Committee sat down with my event co-chairman and me to design next year's event. We added some new touches and surprises. We also planned a Cookies with Santa happening. Have a great weekend.

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  7. Carol, what an event! And to know that your committee is moving forward with plans for December AND next summer is an added bonus. We are in NC and the truck arrives on Saturday. We're loving spending time with daughter's family before our movers arrive.

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