July 3 Kid’s Day once again filled with parade and activities

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

Kids love a parade, and for more than 20 years Charles City has had a parade that’s for and about kids and is the start of a whole day’s worth of activities for the youngsters.

Charles City Kid’s Day on Tuesday, July 3, kicks off with the parade at 10:30 a.m., around Central Park. Registration begins at 10 a.m. at the bandshell on Kelly Street, and the first 600 kids age 12 and under to register will receive goodie bags.

Following the parade will be prize drawings at the bandshell for all registered participants. McDonald’s and First Citizens Bank are sponsoring the parade and prizes.

“We have 500 to 700 kids typically in any given year (in the parade),” said Sheryl Jeffrey, McDonald’s marketing manager. “Then as far as in the park you’re probably looking at 1,000 to 1,500.”

Other activities will begin in Central Park about 11 a.m., including lots of games and other activities for kids.

“After 2 p.m. we bring out the inflatables and some other stuff,” said Emily Garden, Charles City events coordinator.

Garden said there will be activities all over town on that Tuesday.

“At the bowling alley, at the pool, mini-golf, lots of promotions for kids games — they’re literally all over, so if you have kids this is the perfect day for you,” Garden said. “It’s just a really big day.”

Jeffrey said the day is popular for parents, grandparents and child care providers, because there are plenty of things to do and many of them are free or at a reduced price.

Garden said, “They’re doing a matinee movie for kids this year, which will be really fun. It’s ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story,’ so if you’ve got teenagers that are like, ‘um, the park?’ but they want to go see a movie, it’s perfect for them.”

Jeffrey said the event started about 1995 when she and Robin Macomber were looking for something for kids to do.

“We had 50 kids that year,” Jeffrey said, comparing it to the hundreds or thousands now.

CHARLES CITY KID’S DAY SCHEDULE

Tuesday, July 3

All events at Central Park except where noted.

10 a.m. – Kid’s parade registration, park bandshell.

10 a.m.-4 p.m. – Tours at Carrie Chapman Catt House.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Bowling specials at Comet Bowl.

10:30 a.m. – Parade around Central Park.

After parade – Prize drawings at bandshell.

11 a.m. – McDonald’s lunch in the park.

11 a.m.-noon – Games and activities include firetruck and ambulance waterball, barrel train rides, Kids Life free child IDs.

11 a.m.-1 p.m. – Peddle cars.

12:30-1:15 p.m. – Grout Museum stage show, “Super Cold.”

1-3 p.m. – Mini-golf and batting cage specials at Bayou Bend.

1:15-2 p.m. – Grout Museum stage show, “Grossology.”

1:30 p.m. – Matinee, “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” at Charles Theater.

2-7 p.m. – DJ in the park.

2-8 p.m. – Inflatables.

3-5 p.m. – Free public swim at the swimming pool.

4 p.m. – Dive for pennies at the swimming pool.

5-11 p.m. – Mechanical bull rides for kids and adults.

Events and activities sponsored by AMR Ambulance, Bayou Bend, Boy Scout Troop 1087, Bridge Church, Charles City Chamber, Charles City Cheerleaders, Charles City Fire Department, Charles City Parks & Recreation, Charles City Police Department, Charles City Emergency Services, Comet Bowl, CUSB Bank, Family Community Credit Union, First Citizens Bank, First Security Bank & Trust, IC School, KCHA, McDonald’s, Quality Auto Services and State Bank.