COLUSA, CA (MPG) – Young children and their families were treated to a lively morning of music, dancing, and storytelling during a free community concert hosted by the First 5 Colusa Children & Families Commission on June 11.
The event, held in the historic Colusa City Hall Auditorium, drew about 40 mostly preschool-aged children for a celebration of early childhood development and togetherness. The concert was a collaborative effort between First 5, the Colusa County Office of Education Children’s Services, and the City of Colusa.
Joe Moye, CCOE’s Family Services Division manager, also known professionally as “Sideshow Joe,” brought his characteristic musical and creative spark to the community event.
Moye performed upbeat tunes and animated tales, creating a vibrant atmosphere where learning and joy went hand in hand.
“This was more than just a concert,” said Ginger Harlow, executive director for First 5 Colusa. “It was a way for us to connect with the families we serve.”
Harlow said the organization serves children from birth to age five and their families.
“It’s about 3,500 total and that’s through our family resource centers and all the programs we run with our partners,” she said.
The mission of First 5 and its partnering agencies revolve around supporting families with young children through a diverse range of services, including developmental screenings to help families understand their child’s growth and identify any areas where extra support might be helpful.
“Next year, our goal is to expand our health outreach,” she said. “We’ll be holding community health hubs at our resource centers to offer families more health-related services. And we will continue the programs we already do, such as parent-child playgroups, parenting classes, CalFresh outreach, and nutrition classes.”
While Colusa does not yet have a dedicated First 5 resource center, Harlow emphasized that satellite services are available to ensure Colusa families are not left behind. Events like the concert and other fun activities held at Colusa City Hall are part of a broader vision to strengthen community ties and nurture early development.
Through music and movement, the one-hour concert succeeded in making learning fun and inclusive, while also raising awareness of the wide support network available for parents and caregivers.
Harlow said the organization hopes to reach more families by hosting more events in the coming months.
“This was a pretty decent turnout, so we hope to have one on a Saturday as well,” she said. “We love collaborating with the city to do this stuff, and it gives families something to do for free during the summer.”