Ally Medoza didn’t remember attending the last in-person Family Fair when she was a 4-year-old, so spending a few hours playing games with hundreds of other people on a school campus was a new experience.
Saturday saw the return of the popular event that supports local children and families after the 2020 Family Fair was canceled during the pandemic – and the 2021 event was held as a drive-thru.
Excited to be attending the gathering at Burchfield Elementary School, Mendoza, 6, chatted eagerly about tossing bean bags, getting her face painted, and playing the drums.
“Then I put my hands in slime and got two books,” she said. “And then I ate a banana on a stick.”
Colusa County Office of Education’s Children Services sponsors the annual Family Fair each April to celebrate “Month of the Young Child,” said Executive Director Vicki Markss. The event helps bring awareness largely to the services available that promote health and strengthen families.
“This is an annual event we put on to highlight and appreciate the youngest children of our community,” Markss said. “The kids have an awesome time and there are so many nice booths here. I’m hearing from everyone that they are so glad to have an in-person event again instead of being cooped up or canceled like the last few years. There is nothing like hands-on activities.”
The Family Fair started in 2003, held in conjunction with Western Days, organized by the Colusa County Local Child Care Planning Council, a program of the Colusa County Office of Education and Community Advocates for Parents and Children.
While Saturday’s Family Fair was relocated to Burchfield from Egling Middle School just days before the event due to a scheduled power outage, Colusa County families attended the Family Fair in droves. Kids received goodies like children’s books, bookmarks, pencils, activity books and crayons, treats, and bubbles, while parents received information about literacy, employment opportunities, and health. Children also enjoyed a petting zoo, drawing on the sidewalk with chalk, and a jam session with CCOE Division Director of Support Services Joe Moye, who is also an accomplished children’s performer.
About 30 government and private agencies participated, including Colusa County Sheriff’s Office and Probation, Colusa Fire Department, Colusa Police Department, Sacramento River Fire Protection, California Highway Patrol, Colusa County Public Health, Colusa County Library, Family Action Centers of Colusa County, Colusa Medical Center, Master Gardeners, Partners for Health, First Five, Children and Family Commission, Premier Mushrooms, and Center for Healthy Communities (CSU), among others. ■